The new Provincial Protective Services (PPS) Branch begins operations as of April 1. The unit is an amalgamation of conservation conservation, highway patrol, Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Officers, prisoner transport and court security deputy sheriffs, and Wascana Park community safety officers.

A provincial government release states the new organization will include administrative staff. The total workforce will number 450. While the entity covers all these branches, there’s no change to the level of service delivered and no changes to insignias or uniforms. The move is intended to foster a more collaborative approach to service delivery that will enhance responses and public safety practices. 

"A tremendous amount of work has gone into unifying these separate agencies into a single organization over the last six months," Corrections, Policing and Public Safety Minister Christine Tell said. "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."

The new branch will see one change to RCMP duties. All prisoner transport will become the responsibility of provincial prisoner transport and court security deputy sheriffs in the PPS Branch.

The release notes that The PPS Branch supports Saskatchewan's Growth Plan goal of building safer communities by ensuring the protection of people, natural resources and infrastructure, allowing policing resources to focus on protecting Saskatchewan communities.