Chief Rick Bourassa gave an update on how the Moose Jaw Police Service is handling the COVID-19 pandemic during the Board of Police Commissioners meeting on Wednesday.

He said they looked at changes from the administrative side and operations.

On the administrative side, the police updated and enacted their pandemic policies and immediately assessed staffing levels.

Bourassa said they are fully staffed at this time and no one is in isolation because of symptoms. Those working at the police station who can work remotely from home are doing so.

He added that all officers have been given personal protection kits and they have increased maintenance and cleaning personnel while remaining in contact with public health agencies and the provincial government.

On Friday, the police are adding another officer to the Police and Crisis Team. The team consists of officers and mental health professionals. Bourassa said the extra officer is being added because of the stressors of the situation on the public and the increased number of mental health calls.

"If we can be working with our health partners to provide assistance in the community that will also reduce the number of people that are visiting the hospital, we are going to continue moving that forward," Bourassa said.

The police are also increasing public information and want to let the public know they are still here and responding to calls. Bourassa added officers will be on-scene when needed but will adhere to physically distancing when it is warranted.

On the operational side, Bourassa said officers have been working with the public to make sure people are adhering to the public health order.

"We did assign personnel to assist businesses and individuals with the public health order when it initially came out to ensure there was compliance," Bourassa said.

"We had a police officer that was going to the chamber of commerce and the different businesses and business groups, providing assistance in compliance with that in conjunction with the public health authorities."

He said the police are responding immediately to public health order complaints and the main issue they are finding is people gathering in parks.

The police service has also implemented screening questions when responding to a call or taking someone into custody to make sure they are symptom-free.

Finally, Bourassa said calls for assistance decreased when self-isolation first started, but recently calls have started to increase again, which they expected.

Health Order non-compliance can also be reported from the Government of Saskatchewan's COVID-19 website or by calling 1-855-559-5502