The Board of Police Commissioners has received an increase in funding this year after council approves a 2.32 per cent tax increase.

 

When the city collects $1000 in taxes, $260 dollars goes to the Moose Jaw Police Service. So when a tax increase is approved, like the one this week worth 2.32 percent, the local police service also gets an increase in funding. The tax increase this year for Moose Jaw works out to an extra 24 dollars for the average taxpayer and just under 6 dollars will go to the police.

Chief of Police Terry Coleman isn't exactly jumping with joy over the budget increase but he's not complaining either. "Ideally we'd like to get back to the police officers and the resources we had prior to 2004. Having said that and recognizing the political realities the budget went through quite smoothly and we're pleased that we got what we asked for. Included in that request was the hiring of two additional police officers."

The Chief says the new officers would be in the criminal investigation unit and their focus would be on drugs and drug-related offences.