The Moose Jaw Police Service is extending an open invitation to a “Meet and Greet” event with the canine unit. 

This year, the Moose Jaw Police service added two new canines to the force, which has allowed the service to maintain constant canine coverage. 

"It was just two," said police chief Rick Bourassa, "and they weren't available 24/7, so we increased it by two, moved one onto each of our four shifts, so now we have canine coverage 24 hours a day, seven days a week." 

Handlers and their four-legged partners in action will be giving demonstrations and speaking to the value that canines bring to the force.

"It's done a couple of things." said Bourassa. "It's allowed us to be more effective, because we have canine capability all the time, but it's also increased our efficiency, because in the past if we needed canine and we didn't have someone working, there'd be overtime and call out, so we've reduced our costs and increased our effectiveness.

The meet and greet will be held Saturday, Oct. 19 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Moose Jaw Ford.