Three members of the Moose Jaw Police Service (MJPS) will retire this year, including a favourite furry four-legged officer who brings comfort to everyone he meets.
Donna Blondeau, the co-ordinator of Victims Services within the police service; Kane, her yellow Labrador retriever trained as an assistance intervention dog that works within all justice-related buildings; and Supt. Brent Mackey will hang up their badges this year. Police Chief Rick Bourassa announced the retirements at the recent Board of Police Commissioners’ meeting.
Blondeau has been the co-ordinator of Victims Services in Moose Jaw and the region for many years and has done an outstanding job, Bourassa said. She will be missed, while her efforts with victims and survivors were appreciated.
Joining Blondeau in retirement this summer will be Kane, since she is his handler, the police chief continued. The MJPS is uncertain when it will receive a new facilities dog since they are in high demand across Canada.
“It is Donna Blondeau who started that support K-9 program in the province,” Bourassa said, with Moose Jaw the first community to have this program. There are now four similar programs throughout the province, with other municipalities also wanting to have one.
Mackey will retire at the end of February after 37 years with the police service, said Bourassa. Mackey has done so much for the community during his four decades with the force.
“Brent loves what he does. He loves keeping his community safe … ,” the police chief continued. “He has always answered the bell; when the call comes at two in the morning, he is always here. When serious investigations need to be overseen, he’s here.”
Bourassa said he would personally miss Mackey and everything that the latter brought as an officer. Mackey was the “yin to my yang,” the chief remarked. He explained that sometimes he can become narrowly focused on one path or solution, but Mackey will tell him to slow down and ask if he has thought of another solution.
Usually, the superintendent’s suggestions will be correct.
“Brent … you’ve done a phenomenal job for the people in this community, from investigating shoplifters to murders to all our internal investigations that he’s seen over the last few years,” Bourassa added. “His wisdom, his steadiness (and) his reliability (are) second-to-none.”
Mayor Fraser Tolmie, chairman of the Board of Police Commissioners, thanked all three officers for their work. In particular, he noted that Kane would usually roll over and allow the mayor to pet him whenever they see each other, a sure sign that someone is stressed.
As for Mackey, with a laugh, Tolmie said he had high respect for the officer since he was a Boston Bruins fan.
“From what we’ve seen,” the mayor added, “there’s some strong pillars in this community (who) will be leaving … .”
The next Board of Police Commissioners’ meeting is March 9.
