Two new constables joined the Moose Jaw Police Service during a small swearing-in ceremony on June 15.
Jacques Geyer and Michael Neilson took the oath of police, code of ethics, and oath of secrecy and were sworn in as MJPS members in front of a small crowd of officials and family, as the ongoing public health order forced the usually large ceremony to be limited in size.
Judge Brian Hendrickson was present to oversee the oaths. MJPS Chief Rick Bourassa, mayor and police board chair Fraser Tolmie, a handful of other MJPS members, and the immediate families of the new recruits were also present.
Both Geyer and Neilson come to the MJPS from previous careers in law enforcement, meaning the two new constables will undergo in-house training before beginning their probationary periods on patrol with another MJPS member.
Bourassa and the MJPS were pleased to welcome two new members to the service, who will be filling some vacant positions left by retirements. During the ceremony, Bourassa shared that while both recruits had important skillsets thanks to their previous careers, the MJPS selected their applications because of character.
"We can teach people skills, that's easy," said Bourassa, during his remarks at the ceremony. "What we looked for was character, for people who got it, who understand policing and that we treat everybody with dignity and respect, that we police with the consent of the community."
Geyer, who is originally from Moose Jaw, is returning after three years spent in the Saskatoon Police Service. He is looking forward to being home with family and to serve the community as an MJPS member.
“I wanted to be back in my home community and contribute back to the awesome place that I grew up in,” said Geyer. “I think, like every police officer, I want to be able to help people, to be a part of the community and give back, and to be able to prevent crime.”
Neilson, originally from Red Deer, Atla., is joining the MJPS after several years with the RCMP and Alberta Sheriffs Branch. He is looking forward to settling in a smaller city such as Moose Jaw with his family, and joining the municipal service.
“We always came here when I was in RCMP training, in Regina, and we just kind of fell in love with Moose Jaw,” said Neilson. “I [chose policing because] I just always wanted to serve, to help people and try to make a difference.”
Bourassa addressed the current social climate during the ceremony as well, speaking briefly about the recent anti-racism rallies and criticisms of policing that are happening across North America.
“We can't ask for trust. We can't demand trust. We have to earn trust and we have to earn respect. We have to police with the consent of the community, and there is really only one way to do that, which is to conduct ourselves in the way that people expect us to conduct ourselves,” said Bourassa.
He emphasized that the MJPS does more than just policing the community and tries to provide supports in situations where they are needed. He spoke about the value of the MJPS Police and Crisis Team (PACT), which pairs a uniformed member with a mental health professional to respond to calls involving mental health concerns.
“That's just the type of value that comes through this, just to resolve situations peacefully and move people to the proper supports rather than to the justice system, which is just not the way to deal with so many of these situations,” said Bourassa. “And we'll keep moving that way. That's exciting for me, and I'm happy to see that happen, and I firmly believe that's what people expect from police.”
The MJPS is also increasing the size of its service in the near future. Bourassa is working to welcome new recruits to the service and to expand the PACT unit with provincial funding.
