A new bylaw was introduced at city council on Monday night to clarify the roles between the Moose Jaw Board of Police Commissioners and Moose Jaw City Council.

The idea behind the new bylaw was to clarify the board of police commissioners and the Moose Jaw police chief's duties, responsibilities and independent relationships from the city.

"This was brought forward because it was recommended by the police commissioner for clarification of language change," said Mayor Fraser Tolmie, who also sits on the Board of Police Commissioners.

"So yes, this has been approved. I know it's been a long time coming."

The current bylaw was the establishment of the board of police commissioners that was adopted and came into effect in November of 1991.

The new bylaw says the five-member board will consist of the Mayor, two city councillors and two other people who are not member of city council.

An amendment from Coun. Brian Swanson was passed to add that the two other people must be residents of Moose Jaw.

Also added to the new bylaw was the following line:

The City may continue to provide services to the board upon such terms and conditions as are agreed upon between the board and council.

Council felt that line opened the door to allow the board to seek third-party services.

"I don't think it is going to automatically change anything or make the shared services agreement less enticing," said Coun. Eby.

"I think if things are working, I don't think the police service is going to change for the sake of changing it, but if things aren't working then this gives them a little bit easier of a change."

The new bylaw also has a new line stating:

The Chief of Police shall be the Chief Administrative Officer of the Police Service and shall be directly responsible only to the Board for the discharge of the powers, duties, and authority conferred upon them.

All three readings of the bylaw passed unanimously.