The Moose Jaw Police Service (MJPS) will receive additional funding in the amount of $818,000 through a grant program offered by the Municipal Police Grants program for the 2023-2024 fiscal year.
The Ministry of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety will provide $458,000 to the City of Moose Jaw for this purpose, and the grant will be used to fund four existing positions in the MJPS.
Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) will additionally provide $360,000 to fund two positions as part of the Combined Traffic Services Saskatchewan initiative.
This brings the total to six existing MJPS positions funded by the program in 2023-2024.
“(Our) government is appreciative of the ongoing partnership with the Moose Jaw Police Service,” said Mental Health and Addictions, Rural and Remote Health and Seniors Minister and Moose Jaw North MLA Tim McLeod on behalf of Paul Merriman, the Corrections, Policing and Public Safety minister.
“This investment supports our local police and enhances public safety initiatives within our community and the surrounding area,” announced MLA McLeod.
The funding initiative supports the ongoing delivery of targeted policing programs in Moose Jaw with the benefit of enhancing overall community wellness and safety.
One example is the Police and Crisis Team (PACT) program, where police officers from the MJPS partner with mental health workers to provide an integrated and coordinated response to individuals in the community who are experiencing a mental health crisis.
“This ongoing partnership between the Ministry (of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety) and the Moose Jaw Police Service advances our shared vision of safe and inclusive communities,” said Moose Jaw Police Chief Rick Bourassa.
“The annual funding of these positions enables the Moose Jaw Police Service to continue providing Police and Crisis Team supports and Combined Traffic Services Saskatchewan road safety services to people not only in Moose Jaw, but also across our south-central region,” Bourassa said.
The Municipal Police Grants Program supports the MJPS but also the City of Moose Jaw in a wider sense.
“This grant benefits our community and region by helping our Moose Jaw Police Service further enhance community safety and wellness, which is a priority in our city,” Moose Jaw Mayor Clive Tolley announced.
“We are grateful for the continuing support of the Government of Saskatchewan through this Municipal Police Grants Program,” Mayor Tolley said.
The Ministry of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety has provided police services across Saskatchewan with funding through the Municipal Police Grants program since 1998, making 2023 the 25th year for the government initiative.
This grant program currently supports 143 municipal police positions and targeted policing initiatives across the province.
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