The Public Complaints Commission received more than 20 complaints about Moose Jaw police from residents during the 2020-21 year, but almost all those issues have now been resolved.
The Moose Jaw Police Service (MJPS) was subject to 22 public complaints during the reporting period, according to the independent civilian oversight body that handles allegations against police. As of March 31, the commission determined that eight complaints were unfounded, one was withdrawn, and two did not require investigation. This left 11 complaints to be investigated.
“We know a lot of those have been concluded,” Police Chief Rick Bourassa said during the September meeting of the Board of Police Commissioners. “I won’t speak about those publicly. We’ll allow the Public Complaints Commission (PCC) to discuss those next year in their report. But … there was no misconduct by police officers.”
The MJPS appreciates the commission’s work and the transparency it provides, he added. The commission’s oversight is a fundamental component of policing.
Commissioner Mary Lee Booth appreciated the information but wondered who the PCC hires to investigate these allegations and whether they have a policing background or are civilians.
The commission comprises five people who have a background in justice, while many people in administration and the investigative positions were once serving officers, Bourassa replied. Since these are complicated investigations, having that analytical ability is critical.
“The Public Complaints Commission has investigators, but they will ask police services to conduct an investigation with their oversight,” he said. “It’s a bit of a hybrid model, but there is always that oversight not only from the director of the commission but the commission itself.”
Meanwhile, the newly created Serious Incident Response Team (SIRT) is expected to be up and running by October, Bourassa continued.
The civilian-led SIRT will investigate serious incidents involving police. Acting under the civilian executive director, SIRT members will investigate all matters where a person has suffered a sexual assault, serious injury, or death while in police custody or because of an officer’s actions.
Previously, a police service would be called to help investigate an incident in another jurisdiction, while the police in that region would not contribute, the police chief said. The province did appoint independent observers to oversee those investigations, and while that model worked well, it lacked transparency and objectivity since police were investigating police.
“There is an objective director here who will be in charge of the Serious Incident Response Team. Regulations (and) policies are currently being developed, (while) the Saskatchewan Association of Chiefs of Police has been informing that process and will continue to inform that process,” Bourassa continued, adding the association anticipates the provincial government will soon pass legislation activating the team.
The next Board of Police Commissioners meeting is Tuesday, Oct. 19.
