The Moose Jaw Police Service has added a new tool to protect its officers and employees from COVID-19. 

During the Moose Jaw Board of Police Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, it was announced that the police service is now equipped with rapid testing for employees. 

“We do testing, basically, three times a week. Our shifts or rotations either start on Monday, Wednesday or Friday. So, whenever someone starts a new shift we come in to make sure that people starting a new shift are negative before they start work,” said Staff Sgt. Taylor Elder, who is one of the officers trained to conduct the tests. 

Elder gave a demonstration on how rapid testing works and said that the test takes about 45 minutes to complete. 

This is one of several protocols put in place at the police station. Other protocols include: 

  • Restricted access to the building 
  • Daily temperature checks and COVID-19 screening 
  • Dividing policing teams into sub-teams or cohorts 
  • Weekly risk analysis based on local active cases 
  • Enhanced cleaning  
  • All meetings held via video conference 
  • PPE available for frontline officers 

Deputy Chief Rick Johns said, so far, the protocols put in place have been working well. 

“The Moose Jaw Police Service has not had any transmissions within the building, and we have not had any positive cases arising from workplace contact,” said Johns. 

Johns added that the rapid tests aren’t in-depth tests, and anyone who tests positive is referred to the Saskatchewan Health Authority for a more in-depth test. 

It was also noted at the meeting that all of the police officers that wanted to get vaccinated have received their first shot, and it is expected they will have their second dose within the next couple of weeks.