The Moose Jaw Police Service has answered over 9,000 calls for service in 2022, as of June 30, and is on track for one of its busiest years ever according to Police Chief Rick Bourassa. 

The police have seen an increase of 21.1 per cent in calls for service compared to last year. It equates to nearly 1,600 additional calls. 

Bourassa commended his staff for their hard work while looking forward to swearing in new officers on Thursday. 

“Our members are working hard, we're stretching them pretty thin, but they're holding up and with our new officers that are coming that will take some of the pressure off,” Bourassa said. 

Calls for service go beyond fighting crime. It also includes well-being checks, assisting other agencies such as EMS and fire, bylaw enforcement and residents calling looking for information. 

Bourassa added that having such a high increase in calls for service doesn’t come as a surprise after two years of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The police say they are on track for about 20,000 calls for service this year.