A new provincial police force has begun operations as of last weekend.

The Provincial Protective Services Branch combines Conservation, highway patrol, safer communities and neighbourhood officers, as well as prisoner transport and court security deputy sherriffs under the same fold.

In a media release, Corrections, Policing and Public safety minister Christine Tell said that: “A tremendous amount of work has gone into unifying these separate agencies into a single organization over the last six months.”

There are no immediate changes to any insignias, logos or uniforms used by the agencies.

Further work will continue in 2022 and 2023 to enhance services and ensure a consistent approach to public safety in Saskatchewan.

“The transition to the PPS Branch is a major step forward in our ongoing work to ensure the safety and security of Saskatchewan communities and people,” Tell said in the release.