Survey Looking To Gauge Public’s Impression Of The MJPS

By Robert Thomas

What are your impressions of the Moose Jaw Police Service (MJPS)?

It is a question being asked of residents as the force along with researchers from the University of Regina are conducting their 2023 Community Perceptions of the MJPS.

The survey will be conducted by the Prairie Research Associates (PRA), and will be performed using a telephone survey system.

Within this survey, Moose Jaw residents will be given the opportunity to answer a variety of questions on how they perceive different aspects of the Moose Jaw Police Service, the release stated.

The last Community Perceptions of the Moose Jaw Police Service survey was done in 2019, with over 8,000 numbers called.

The findings of this year's survey will be released at a later date.

The MJPS has conducted these surveys in the past to gauge public perception of the force.

The 2019 telephone survey by the University of Regina found the majority of 325 residents who responded had a positive outlook of the MJPS.

In November 2012 a similar survey was released where 418 Moose Jaw residents were surveyed for their impressions of the MJPS.

The majority of people surveyed in 2012 had a positive outlook towards the MJPS.

According to media reports of the day, then Mayor Glenn Hagel lauded the positive impression results.

Over the past decade the MJPS has seen good and bad incidents surrounding the police force.

The MJPS have been involved in reaching out to marginalized communities under the leadership of Chief Rick Bourassa which has been seen as positive within the community.

The force has teamed up with social workers to defuse calls involving family and mental health concerns.

There has been an epidemic of narcotics inundate the community with many people seeing it as a “catch and release” system where accused drug dealers have been arrested only to have them immediately released back into the community.

The MJPS has also come under close scrutiny as revelations came out during the dismissal of former Constable Alan Murdock.

The allegations came from Chief Rick Bourassa which were dismissed when former Constable Murdock withdrew his appeal under the Saskatchewan Police Act.

Despite Chief Bourassa publicly alleging acts such as stealing from the police evidence lockers no criminal charges were ever laid in what turned out to be unsubstantiated criminal allegations..

The incidents were heavily reported on by the CBC who were working on a story looking into the MJPS.

Additionally the MJPS has allegedly internally disciplined an officer following a prisoner’s in custody suicide.

A Coroners public inquest and full details of the death yet to be held into the matter.