The year from early 2020 to early 2021 saw an increase in submitted complaints against the Moose Jaw Police Service.

The Public Complaints Commission oversees all complaints made against police officers submitted by the public. The Commission released the report for Moose Jaw's 2020 complaint investigations and statistics. Last year 22 complaints were filed against the local police service.

"2020 was again a unique year with the pandemic. There was also an increase in public complaints made across the province about police officers," says Chief Rick Bourassa.

Out of 22 complaints submitted, 8 were concluded as unfounded, 1 was withdrawn, and 2 were concluded as not requiring of investigation. The remaining 11 complaints are being investigated by the Public Complaints Commission. Some of those complaints have concluded already. However, information regarding the complaints will not be released to the public but will be considered in next year's report.

The statistic of 22 complaints made has put Moose Jaw in 3rd throughout the province for having the highest number submitted. Saskatoon has the highest number in province after 91 complaints were submitted. Then Regina falls in second place having 70 complaints submitted.

The Public Complaints Commission consists of 5 people from across the province that have a background in justice and governance. They also have an administration that has a director and investigators. The investigators were serving police officers but are not any longer. Bourassa talked about how the investigative skills from formal police officers are necessary but the actual commission is made up of individuals outside of the police force in order to create an unbiased environment for investigating public complaints made against police.

Bourassa shared that he is thankful for the complaint process, "We certainly appreciate the work of the Public Complaints Commission. We appreciate the accountability it brings on us. The transparency it brings to policing. It's a fundamental and essential component of our policing model."

He also said that he and his team strongly care about these numbers and will strive to find solutions.