Government of Saskatchewan Announces Investment For Additional MJPS Officers
On September 9, 2024, at a news conference within the Moose Jaw Police Service headquarters, the Minister of Policing, Corrections, and Public Safety, Paul Merriman, announced they will be investing $16.7 million in 2025-26 to enhance the safety of communities and neighbourhoods across the province.
This includes $11.9 million that has been earmarked for approximately 100 new municipal police officers, which includes the Moose Jaw Police Service.
The City of Moose Jaw will receive a total of $952,000 to hire eight new Moose Jaw Police Service officers.
“As we continue to work together to keep our communities safer, more harmonious, and more inclusive, the additional police positions will allow us not only to work more effectively with those in crisis but also to increase our presence in public areas and bring a greater focus to child exploitation and serious crime prevention, detection and response,” says MJPS Chief of Police, Rick Bourassa.
Moose Jaw Board of Police Commissioners Chair, Crystal Froese says this is exciting news for the Moose Jaw Police Service and the community.
“The Police Commission Board, along with the Chief, and our leadership here have been working towards getting the attention of the Province around this issue because we know we have been underfunded for police officers,” says Commissioner Froese. “Adding eight additional Police officers is extremely exciting for us here. It will allow us to have more officers on the streets to address crime issues, and also for prevention and support services. The eight additional officers will be well utilized here in Moose Jaw.”
In his remarks, City of Moose Jaw Mayor, Clive Tolley noted that the additional Police officers will be able to enhance the Moose Jaw Police Service.
“These measures today will help go a long way to helping our community. This is a big day for Moose Jaw and the support from the provincial government is much appreciated. Moose Jaw is going to be a tourism town forever and we need the help to keep us safe downtown and this is going to be boots on the ground doing that,” Moose Jaw Mayor, Clive Tolley explains.
Additionally, $2.7 million will go toward 14 new Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods (SCAN) officers and $1.6 million to the Saskatchewan Police College. The funding for the Saskatchewan Police College will double the number of recruits that are trained at the facility each year.
This additional funding for municipalities and the Police College amounts to a five per cent increase in the 2025-2026 police budget. The Ministry adds that this extra funding is intended to help police address social disorder concerns involving mental health and addictions, as well as crime in neighbourhoods and communities across the province.
Group Photo L to R: (Moose Jaw Police Service Chief, Rick Bourassa, Commissioner Trish Martynook, Commissioner Crystal Froese, Minister of Policing, Corrections, and Public Safety, Paul Merriman, Moose Jaw Mayor, Clive Tolley, Moose Jaw North MLA, Tim McLeod, and Commissioner Doug Blanc)
