Moose Jaw’s Board of Police Commissioners has lauded several police officers for their efforts to support residents through their difficulties and help other police agencies.
During the board’s May 11 meeting, the Moose Jaw Police Service highlighted the actions of Const. Jacques Geyer, Const. Rod Zoerb and Const. Jeremy Anderson during the past couple of months. Two emails and a news article discussing the officers’ efforts were part of the board package.
Pedestrian collision
Geyer was on patrol near Fairford Street and First Avenue Northeast on April 9 when he saw a speeding motorist nearly hit a woman walking across the street, the email explained. He immediately chased after the driver and gave her a ticket.
“Thank you very much to the officer!!!” the pedestrian wrote. “Hopefully, he noticed all the bystanders in Crescent Park cheering him on as he went after her!”
On the email printout, Police Chief Rick Bourassa wrote, “Const. Geyer, thank you for keeping our streets safe!”
Training officers
Zoerb spent four hours in Regina on April 10 providing service pistol learning assistance to three recruits with the Saskatchewan Police College (SPC), an email said. Zoerb had little notice about the training session, which was a necessary component of the SPC recruit training program.
“Your patience and expertise as a firearms instructor was well received by the recruits,” wrote acting director Denis Eberle.
On the email printout, Bourassa wrote, “Const. Zoerb, thank you for your leadership and commitment to improvement!”
“We contribute a lot of resources to training recruits … at the Saskatchewan Police College, and Const. Rod Zoerb was able to step in when the college had a sudden demand,” Bourassa told the board with a chuckle. “He made the time and went out. He takes his training duties very, very seriously, and he is an excellent firearms instructor.”
An approving judgment
Anderson was patrolling Main Street on April 2 when he pulled over a motorist who was speeding. The officer discovered the driver was impaired and, during the arrest, also learned that the man was a military veteran dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), according to a news article. Anderson then connected the man with the chaplain at 15 Wing Air Base to assist him with his challenges.
During the motorist’s April 19 court appearance, Judge Brian Hendrickson commended Anderson for helping the veteran and asked the Crown to pass along his appreciation.
On the article printout, Bourassa wrote, “Const. Anderson, thank you for always working to improve lives. Well deserved recognition!”
“That happens all the time. It’s just nice to see it pointed out sometimes,” Bourassa told the board. “So very good work.”
Reading that article generated an immense amount of appreciation for the police service, compared to negative stories about acts of police brutality in the United States, said Commissioner Mary Lee Booth.
“It’s so nice to see stories about our members (who) lead with empathy and compassion,” she added. “This fellow still had consequences, but to connect him with some resources and support, that’s great news and I love stories like that.”
The next Board of Police Commissioners’ meeting is Tuesday, June 8.
