The Moose Jaw Board of Police Commissioners last week approved the proposed 2022 Moose Jaw Police Service operating budget. 

Part of the budget is the request for three new police officer positions. 

As of August 1, the Moose Jaw Police Service had 61 authorized officer positions for a rate of officers of 180. That is the lowest rate in Saskatchewan among municipal police services behind Regina at 187. 

“With three officers, we'd be very consistent with Regina. I think we'd be at 186 when we did the calculation, but that's with all else staying the same, and I suspect we'll see different numbers when the police commission releases its annual report in the spring,” said Chief Rick Bourassa. 

Six of the 61 positions are provincially funded. Four officers are funded through Combined Traffic Services Saskatchewan and two officers are funded as part of the Police And Crisis Team (PACT). 

The net operating budget for 2022 is $11.17 million, an increase of 4.67 per cent from 2021. 

Bourassa asked the board for either two or three new officer positions, with the board agreeing on three officers. 

“Two additional positions would have a net increase of 4.37 per cent, and the three positions having that increase of 4.67 per cent,” Bourassa said. 

Statistically, Moose Jaw’s crime rates in 2020 were middle-of-the-pack among other municipalities, ahead of Regina and Saskatoon, but under Weyburn, Estevan and Prince Albert. It was noted that those statistics do not take into account the severity of the crime. 

The Crime Severity Index for 2020 showed Moose Jaw had the lowest severe crime rate in the province. 

Both the crime rates and Crime Severity Index have been trending downward in the last few years. 

The Board of Police Commissioners was also presented with the 2022-2026 capital budget. 

It was determined in 2019 that the capital budget would be $65,000 for that year and increase by $2,500 each year afterward. For 2022, $72,500 is budgeted to support the following projects: 

  • Relocate and replace the radio tower and related infrastructure. 
  • Safety upgrade to outdoor carbine range. 
  • Elevator replacement 
  • Relocation of meeting room to a public area 

Contingency funding for unanticipated occurrences. 

The capital budget request includes $182,000 in order to replace the radio tower in 2022 bringing the total capital budget request to $254,500. 

These budget requests will now go before city council during budget deliberations for approval.