The long arm of the law just became even longer. During the regular meeting of Meadow Lake city council held Monday (Sept. 28), the city’s former full-time bylaw enforcement officer – a gentleman by the name of Anil Kumar – was officially appointed as a community safety officer (CSO) for the City of Meadow Lake. This means the city now has two CSOs, with Kumar joining fellow community safety officer Joe Hallahan when it comes to laying down the law. Kumar first joined the city in the summer of 2023 as a seasonal bylaw officer. At the time his primary responsibilities were to address absenteeism in the bylaw department over the summer, as well as to enhance enforcement. Much of his focus that year was on downtown parking enforcement, but later switched to nuisance abatement when the city opted to relax (and later eliminate) the two-hour parking restriction in the downtown core. 

Kumar returned to the role January to October 2024 to help the department while Hallahan was temporarily away on leave. Last year, Kumar took on the role of permanent bylaw officer upon the departure of Tracy Chuckrey from the position. Meanwhile, as part of its 2026 budget, city council approved close to $93,000 for the hiring of a second community safety officer to replace the existing bylaw officer position. Kumar successfully completed the CSO course before returning to work this summer. In Saskatchewan, a community safety officer has broader legal and policing powers – including the authority to enforce provincial statutes like the Traffic Safety Act – whereas a bylaw enforcement officer is strictly limited to enforcing local municipal rules. 

A CSO focuses on high-priority, low-risk community safety, crime prevention, traffic control, public education and assisting the RCMP, while many CSOs also take on local bylaw enforcement as part of their duties, effectively serving as an upgraded, multi-mandated community presence. “Anil started with the city in July 2023 as a seasonal bylaw officer before assuming a permanent full-time role with the city as a bylaw officer in September 2025,” reiterated city manager Amanda Flasch. “He attended an intensive CSO training program earlier this year, and, upon successful completion, the city began the process of applying to the province for his CSO designation. It is our goal to support the growth and advancement of employees within our organization, and we are fortunate Anil is able to carry his bylaw enforcement experience with him into the CSO role.” 

Flasch went on to note, in general, community safety officers provide enforcement of city bylaws and several provincial acts. “By having two CSOs, the city is able to improve enforcement services as both CSOs can address the same concerns, mitigating delays in response services experienced in the past during CSO absences,” she said. “It ensures the city can maintain CSO services to support our community.” The motion to appoint Kumar to the new role was made by councillor Conrad Read and seconded by councillor Marty Bishop. Kumar’s new position took effect Sept. 17.