The Moose Jaw Police Service has responded to more incidents lately that have stretched its resources, so its goal for 2020 is to hire two new officers to shoulder the load.
Violent crimes, firearms incidents, tactical situations and the increasing prevalence of drugs such as methamphetamines have taxed police resources, while provincial funding for prevention and investigations has been redeployed to traffic safety and other priorities, according to a report from the police service.
This redeployment has meant the Moose Jaw Police Service (MJPS) has been unable to direct resources to immediate matters and contributed to higher overtimes rates since officers are brought in to handle initial call responses and to provide tactical and investigative support.
In 2018 members were called in 52 times to cover shifts for OT costs of $55,709.23. From Jan. 1 to Aug. 30 of this year, members have been called in 44 times for a total of $46,300.
“Much of the crime in Moose Jaw is driven by drugs, gangs and firearms. It’s not unique to us here. It’s the same patterns across the province and the country,” police Chief Rick Bourassa told city council on Nov. 18 during a special budget meeting.
The police service, the Moose Jaw Public Library and 13 other third-party groups made presentations about why council should continue to fund their organizations. Council later voted to send the proposed budgets to a future meeting for further discussion.
As part of its proposed 2020 net operating budget, the MJPS expects its expenditures to be $10,129,563 — excluding anticipated outside revenues of $1,377,599 — which is an increase of $319,916, or 3.26 per cent, from this year.
The police service also asked council to redirect $110,000 from the Traffic Safety Reserve to the service; proceeds from the automated speed enforcement program fund this account.
The service also wants $67,500 for capital funding, with that to increase by $2,500 annually until 2024, for a total of $355,000.
“There is a general change in acceptable behaviour in society, where violence is an acceptable response to issues,” Bourassa continued. MJPS is keeping an eye on that problem and moving resources to respond to it.
Last year the MJPS responded to 10,076 calls; 32 violent offences were committed with a firearm and 69 offences were committed with a knife in 2017-18, compared to 11 and 43, respectively, from 2015-17; and police laid 55 charges for meth and 18 charges for cocaine in 2017-18, compared to 10 and eight, respectively, from 2015-17.
Moose Jaw has 57 officers on staff, but not every officer is immediately available, said Bourassa. Some are on parental leave, some are sick, some are on training, and there are temporary vacancies.
The province is asking specifically for one officer to be added, he continued. This person would likely join the MJPS’s Police and Crisis Team (PACT), which focuses more on calls related to mental health issues.
From January to July of this year, 252 calls were diverted to PACT from the police; 198 situations were diverted away from the emergency room, and; 31 people were diverted away from police cells.
The second officer — an immediate priority officer (IPO) — could be moved to where the need is greatest, Bourassa explained. If a crisis arises, a shift needs to be covered, or help is needed with an investigation, the IPO would be called. This would reduce overtime costs and increase the effectiveness of the force.
If approved, this position would be filled by August, the police chief said. It takes about a year to recruit and train an officer; Police College itself is 21 weeks.
In 2018 and 2019, the MJPS used most of its funds from its capital budget on a roof repair and replacement, and main floor renovations, said Bourassa. The organization has several projects scheduled for completion from 2020 to 2024, such as an elevator replacement, the relocation of a meeting room to the first floor from the second floor, and upgrades to the firearms range inside the building.
The next special budget meeting is Wednesday, Nov. 27.
