The Moose Jaw Police Service (MJPS) has welcomed its newest constable, Amanda Johnston, who has dreamed of being a police officer ever since she was a child.
With friends and colleagues watching, Johnston was sworn in during a ceremony at police headquarters on May 5. She had been working for the MJPS for more than a year as a communications officer and would have been sworn in earlier, but the pandemic and other events prevented that from happening until now.
She was named a special constable during a ceremony in February, along with 10 other people working in communications.
“I’m very excited. Been waiting for it for a long time and it’s finally come, so now I’m just excited to get on the road,” she laughed after the ceremony.
Johnston had wanted to be a police officer ever since she was a little girl, which she admitted was strange. However, her work career has been focused on law-type positions.
After moving to Saskatchewan from Thunder Bay, Ont. in 2016, she worked with child protection services before moving to corrections and then to the File Hills First Nations Police Service near Fort Qu’Appelle for several years.
She then worked with the MJPS in communications for more than a year before finally being sworn in and receiving her gold police badge.
Adding Johnston to the ranks increases the number of officers to 61, which is close to the organization’s authorized strength of 64, explained Chief Rick Bourassa.
There are two members currently training at the provincial police college who should join the force at the end of May, bringing the total number to 63. The agency also wants to hire one more person to reach that official total.
One of Johnston’s greatest assets is her experience with File Hills, which, although in a different environment, helped her develop skills she can apply here, the chief said.
Johnston completed most of her training at the police college before she joined the File Hills team, so she won’t need to re-do that work, Bourassa added. Instead, she will participate in the MJPS’s in-house field training program by working with a senior officer for several months before being given more responsibility.
During the ceremony, the police chief said that Johnston had already demonstrated — and would continue to demonstrate — integrity as an officer by treating people with dignity and respect. Becoming a police officer also meant she was a crime preventer, peacekeeper, problem solver and community builder.
Judge Brian Hendrickson — who swore in Johnston — reminded the new officer of the bigger picture: that she is a central part of a criminal justice system that should be fair and equal to all. Moreover, she is fundamental in ensuring the rights of victims, accused persons and others are maintained.
Meanwhile, he pointed to the MJPS’s motto of vision, integrity and community and encouraged her to maintain the highest standards of personal and professional integrity. She should also be honest, honourable, decent and professional.
“As a peace officer, you have great power and great discretion. Please use that power and discretion wisely and demonstrate integrity in your actions,” Hendrickson said.
The best peace officer isn’t necessarily one who puts someone in jail but is an individual who is a good citizen, good neighbour, a mediator, a problem solver and ambassador of the force, the judge added. He also encouraged her to rely on the wisdom and experience of more senior members in the building.
