The Government of Saskatchewan is hoping that a new protection and response team will help crack down on rural crime.

The province announced the program on Tuesday, stating that the new system will be comprised of 258 officers with the ability to make arrests.

"That includes 60 police positions currently deployed to the Combined Traffic Safety Saskatchewan initiative, 30 new police positions, and 30 repurposed positions funded by the ministry," explained Justice Minister Gord Wyant.

Those numbers also include 120 police officers from RCMP and other municipal police services. Additionally, 40 highway vehicle enforcement officers will be armed and able to make arrests.

Additionally, 40 highway vehicle enforcement officers will be armed and able to make arrests. Conservation officers, who already carry guns, will too, be able to take calls and respond.

The province says that if a situation arises where a conservation officer is closer to a break and enter than RCMP, they can step in and respond to the scene.

A report from the Caucus Committee on Crime noted that rural residents are responding to crime by defending themselves, which is something the province is also looking to shift away from.

Wyant says they want to have citizens involved, however, only assisting police in an investigation.

"We'll work with communities to build rural crime watch in communities that are requesting it," noted Wyant. "We'll assist citizens to crime proof their properties."

He added that crime proofing property could include things like setting up cameras.

Wyant says that the province will also request a review of the Youth Criminal Justice Act, aiming to increase consequences for young offenders as well as adults who enable young people to commit crimes.