600-1874 Scarth Street
Regina SK S4P 4B3
Phone: (306) 787-9292
Fax: (306) 787-8084
The Public Disclosure Committee was formed in 1996 by The Public Disclosure Act to advise police whether to release identifying information about dangerous offenders who have served part or all of their sentence and are returning to the community.
How is a case brought to the attention of the Public Disclosure Committee?
Police may bring applications with respect to persons who have been convicted of certain scheduled offences and who pose a risk of serious harm to people in a Saskatchewan community. The scheduled offences include:
- sexual offences against children;
- sexual assaults;
- other sexual offences such as bestiality and indecent acts;
- procuring children into prostitution;
- trafficking drugs; and
- serious personal injury offences such as robbery, aggravated assault and kidnapping.
In what circumstances can the Committee recommend disclosure?
Disclosure can only be recommended if:
- the individual poses a significant risk of serious harm to other people;
- disclosure will help avoid the risk posed by the individual; and
- the public interest in the disclosure outweighs the privacy interests of the individual.
If the release of information is recommended, the Committee will also recommend what information should be released, how it should be released and to whom.
Do the police have to follow the Committee's recommendations?
No. The advice given by the Committee does not bind the police agency making the request. However, police who follow the advice are accorded immunity from suit for their good faith actions in doing so.
The police carefully review the Committee's recommendations, including such factors as:
- risk assessments;
- criminal records;
- the individual's likely destination;
- descriptions of offences the individual has committed in the past; and
- the reasons the individual is believed to pose a significant risk of harm to others.
Does the subject of the application meet with the Committee?
No. However, they are advised in advance that an application has been made and are given the opportunity to make submissions to the Committee in writing or on audio or video tape.
Who are the members of the Public Disclosure Committee?
Representation on the Committee is varied, with members coming from a wide range of occupations and demographic groups.
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