A new collective agreement was signed Wednesday between the Moose Jaw Board of Police Commissioners and the Moose Jaw Police Association, the group representing police in the city.

The agreement was reached April 1, and covers the period from Jan. 1, 2016 to Dec. 31, 2020.

Salary adjustments are 2.75 per cent in 2017, 2.25 per cent in 2018, 1.9 per cent in 2019 and another 2.5 per cent in 2020.

“Adding that extra year is key for us,” said Taylor Edler, president of the police association. “It keeps us away from the table and lets us serve the community like we enjoy doing for another year.”

Negotiations between the board and the association started two and a half years ago.

“Throughout the whole process, we wanted to come to a deal,” Elder said. “We’re happy it’s done and we’re happy it’s ratified through 2020 and now we can focus on our jobs and duties as police officers.”

Taylor Mickelborough, the past president of the police association, said they felt the deal was a fair one.

“Different communities are facing different economic challenges in our province, but I think we were able to work through some challenges,” said Mickelborough. “At least to us, it feels like it sends a message that we’re valued and we can get back to focusing on what we love to do, which is serve the community ather than be at the negotiating table.”

Mayor Fraser Tolmie, who is the chair of the board of police commissioners, feels the negotiations went well considering the result, and that the board is proud of the police service.

“We know they’re doing a very good job in the community, and they’re facing new challenges every day,” he said. “We have to be prepared for that. We have to find that fine line of understanding what the taxpayers are able to pay but also respecting the job they do in the community and the risks that they take.”