The Law Foundation of Saskatchewan announced today a $2.5 million endowment to the University of Regina's Police Studies program. The gift will support the program, housed in the Faculty of Arts, by endowing the Law Foundation of Saskatchewan Chair in Police Studies.

The University of Regina's Police Studies program is one of few in Canada to offer both a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts in Police Studies. The Law Foundation of Saskatchewan Chair in Police Studies will undertake research as well as some teaching responsibilities, and will provide leadership for faculty and program development.

"I want to thank the Law Foundation of Saskatchewan for its continued support of the Faculty of Arts' Police Studies program," says President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Regina, Dr. Vianne Timmons. "The Law Foundation of Saskatchewan Chair in Police Studies solidifies the University's position as a centre of excellence in Police Studies and ensures the University can continue to equip students with the knowledge and skills to address complex social and justice issues."

In addition to teaching and program development, the position of Chair in Police Studies will conduct research with a focus on understanding concerns of the Aboriginal community regarding social and justice issues in the province. As well, the University will continue to strengthen its ties to surrounding Aboriginal communities, recruit Aboriginal students, and prepare these students for positions with the RCMP or Saskatchewan municipal police services.

"One of the mandates of the Law Foundation is to enhance legal education and research," says Catherine Knox, chair of the Law Foundation of Saskatchewan. "One major challenge is to address the concerns of the Aboriginal community and recruit more Aboriginal people into policing. By endowing the Law Foundation of Saskatchewan Chair in Police Studies, we are responding to challenges facing the administration of justice."

Since 2005, the University has received over $300,000 from the Law Foundation of Saskatchewan to create the position of the Law Foundation Chair in Police Studies. The Foundation's commitment of an additional $2.5 million allows for the endowment of the position.

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