Police Commission To Allow Media Scrum

By Robert Thomas

Media will now be allowed to ask questions of the Moose Jaw Board of Police Commissioners (MJBOPC) as well as Chief Rick Bourassa following the public portion of the Police Commission's monthly meeting.

But it is only for a trial period and the media will be limited to only asking questions about items on the agenda.

Additionally the media scrum portion of the meeting will be time limited.

Media questions which are lengthier than the time allotment will likely go through the Chief's office.

The Moose Jaw Board of Police Commissioners meeting in January - MJ Independent file photo

The move to hold the media scrum came as a motion from Commissioner Doug Blanc.

“I think it is very important we have a media scrum,” Commissioner Blanc said when introducing his motion.

He said allowing the media to ask questions could help improve the public's perception of the MJBOPC as well as the Moose Jaw Police Service (MJPS).

Commissioner Blanc said the media's questions should be asked in a way Commissioners could hear them.

“I personally feel it would be good for us to hear those questions,” Commissioner Blanc said, adding it would allow commissioners to hear “something they (the media) have thought of or we haven’t thought of.”

Commissioner Darrel Markin said the scrum atmosphere may not be something agreeable to media.

“They (media outlet) might want a more intimate atmosphere and not (want to) share their questions.”

Commissioner Kim Robinson had reservations about holding media scrum as part of established rules.

“I’m reluctant to support this. I don’t think we need to put it into a rule,” Commissioner Robinson said, adding “as Commissioner Markin said we invite them (the media to a scrum later).”

He felt the motion could be “an instruction rather than a policy.”

Commissioner Blanc said the media scrum would be restricted to asking questions that were on the agenda.

“It’s not an intent to ask about a crime a week ago but what was part of the (MJBOPC public) meeting.”

Commissioner Mary Lee Booth said she agreed in principle with the motion.

“As terms as a good practice is that something we are willing to do…(we need to) have further discussions about who speaks on behalf of the Board.”

Commissioner Booth then said the MJBOPC could offer a media scrum on a trial three months basis.

Commissioner Marken then said he had no problems with offering the media scrum.

“It just gives media access right away so they can go and finish their stories…so they can continue on with their jobs,” Commissioner Markin said.

“In fairness to them they should be able to ask some questions so they can continue with their business.”

Immediately following the public portion of the meeting the first media scrum took place.

EDITOR'S NOTE - MJ Independent did not participate in the scrum as we were not provided with the agenda documents - despite a request in December 2022.