In a swearing-in ceremony at the Moose Jaw Police Service (MJPS) on July 19, two new officers — Daniel Heimbecker and Jackson Anderson — have taken their oath to serve and protect the community and will add to the service later this year.
The ceremony began with a few opening remarks by Jay-D Haughton, the police department’s public information manager, an invocation by DJ Kim, the police chaplain, and remarks from Board Commissioner Chair Crystal Froese and MP Tim McLeod.
The Honourable Brian Hendrickson, judge of the Provincial Court of Saskatchewan, led the swearing-in ceremony.
“I congratulate Moose Jaw’s two newest constables for this major achievement in your professional and personal lives,” Judge Hendrickson said in his opening remarks. “No doubt the selection process has been hard and you must feel justifiable pride in being selected as police officers.
“I also want to acknowledge the efforts and sacrifices of your parents, life partners, family, and friends,” he continued. “They have, in so many ways, contributed to the success of our two newest officers.”
The badges awarded at the ceremony were symbolically presented and will be fully earned after an additional 21 weeks of training.
Both Heimbecker and Anderson have been hired to work primarily with individuals who are undergoing poverty, abuse, family transfers, and similar domestic issues within the scope of the police department.
“As police officers, I know you will emphasize with those results, and circumstances (that) are different from your own circumstances,” Judge Hendrickson said, pointing to the crest of the MJPS that reads “Integrity, Vision, and Community.”
To become a police officer in Saskatchewan, each recruit goes through an application process and a series of interviews and assessments. Following this they attend a police academy and are then required to take a 21 week training program. Once this is complete, officers will earn their badge and enter a probationary period set by the police service.
“You are fundamental in ensuring that the rights enjoyed by citizens, victims, and accused persons under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and other statues and laws are followed and maintained,” Judge Hendrickson stated.
Hendrickson said the mark of a good police officer is often discerned by their motivation to join the service.
“When I ask police officers what attracted them to their profession, they never say they want to write tickets or arrest people,” he said. “Most often I get two responses: ‘I wanted to help people’… and ‘I wanted to make a difference.'
“First and foremost,” he continued, “a good police officer is a good citizen, a good neighbour, a mediator, a problem solver, and an ambassador of the police force to Saskatchewan, Canada, and to the wider world.”
The two officers, he said, have been chosen due to their suitability for the role.
“You would not have been selected if you were not seen as being an excellent candidate.”
Hendrickson’s statement was backed by Police Chief Rick Bourassa who delivered the ceremony’s closing remarks. In his statement, Bourassa spoke of the new officer’s role which he described as “fundamentally important in our society.”
“What we discovered through the (vetting) process is that you’re both people of great character and integrity,” Chief Bourassa said.
When training has concluded, a second ceremony will be held to mark the officer’s graduation from police college. Both officers will officially receive their badges after graduation and are expected to begin their duties with the MJPS in December.
