The Estevan Police Service (EPS) will once again give the public a look into their operations during their second annual open house on August 20.
Police Chief Paul Ladouceur said that due to the success of last year’s open house. Several hundred people turned out, they decided to host the event again.
“It will be quite similar in format this year,” said Ladouceur.
The open house will feature the inflatable police car structure, face painting, a child identification clinic, a barbecue, tours of the police station, and demonstration and displays of their equipment.
The EPS also hopes to bring back the SGI simulators for texting and driving and impaired driving.
“We’re hoping to bring in something new,” said Ladouceur. “We’re not quite sure what that will be yet, but we talked about how each year, it would be really nice to bring some kind of a different flavour to the open house.”
The barbecue will be free, but the EPS will be accepting donations for a local non-profit organization that has yet to be determined. Last year’s barbecue proceeds were used to purchase tickets for youth to attend the upcoming 2016 Saskatchewan Summer Games, which will run from July 24 to 30, before this year’s open house takes place.
The EPS hosted the 2015 open house on the same day as the annual Beach Bash at the Woodlawn Regional Park’s Boundary Dam Beach Site. The timing was coincidental, but a lot of people told police that they were happy the two events were on the same day, because they could go to the open house and then travel to Beach Bash.
“I don’t think it took away from Beach Bash, by any means, and I think it was really a great weekend for people,” said Ladouceur. “Of course, the weather was very good. It co-operated and we’re hoping for the same this year.”
Ladouceur believes the open house is not only a great opportunity to learn more about the EPS, but to get to know the officers themselves, and for people to have a greater understanding of where their taxpayer dollars are spent.
The EPS is also looking to host the inaugural Coffee with the Cops, likely in June. A date has yet to be finalized.
It would be a town-hall-style event that would allow the public to chat with police about issues and concerns the public sees, including the things they believe local police are doing well, and areas that need improvement.
“It’s a chance to hear some open and honest feedback, so that we can ensure we’re continuing to improve as a service,” said Ladouceur.
Ladouceur noted the Estevan Board of Police Commissioners is supportive of the EPS hosting Coffee with the Cops.
