Last month, Corporal Jason Rutten with the Weyburn Police Service received the Police Exemplary Service Medal for 20 years of service to public safety in Canada. He joined the Weyburn Police Service in November of 2001 and has been with the WPS since then.  

We asked him what has changed over the past 20 years.  

“For me it’s gray hair, losing hair,” he chuckled. 

“Tools of the trade,” he continued, taking the interview back to a less humorous tone. “Definitely the introduction of the taser. I was here also for the introduction of our long guns. Not only do we carry a 12-gauge shotgun, we also carry a rifle in our vehicles now.” 

There have been a number of other changes that have been seen in the past 20 years as well, Rutten pointed out. 

“Our roadside screening devices have developed,” he added. “We have devices that detect cannabis and cocaine which we didn’t have before, as well as the ASD that we still use for alcohol.” 

The evidence collected for various things has also changed over the years. He noted the paperwork for something like an arrest for impaired driving would be three or four pages. Now, an impaired driving file could have seven to nine pieces of paper to be filed. 

While it may seem like there is more paperwork, Rutten said there have been some technological changes as well. Video recording is used more frequently, especially with the collection of statements. The technology in the vehicles themselves is also changing.  

“Our vehicles now have workstations in them,” the Corporal said. “We’re trying to avoid a lot of time in the office, and have members out visible in the streets with the help of the computers in the cars.” 

So what does he see coming in the next 15 to 20 years of policing? 

“I hope that the stigmatism around policing changes a bit,” Rutten mused. “Right now, I think there is a negative outlook on policing – we're even seeing it in recruiting, not only us but the RCMP, Regina, Saskatoon, and elsewhere. This career used to be something that people wanted to get into. Forces are struggling to find applicants now. When I applied in 2000, 2001, there were 100, 200 candidates applying. Now you’re getting eight, maybe ten.” 

Rutten said he is hoping more people start to realize that policing can be a very rewarding profession. While there are aspects of the job that could be straining, mentally and physically, a lot of the supports are now in place to help stay positive.  

As for his career and the path that has brought him to where he is now, Rutten wanted to make sure to thank the people of Weyburn for the recognition. 

“Like I said, I was hired November 1st, 2001 and I’ve got a few years left in me, so thank you to everybody out there for the support, the laughs and the smiles.” 

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