It is almost a common event this month. An extreme cold warning issued for the City of Weyburn. Once again, residents were waking up to wind chills as low as -40 Thursday morning.

For many of us, the first urge is to just pull the covers back over our heads. Before we get the energy to get up, get ready, quickly get out the door, and into work where it is nice and warm. Not everyone has the option to work where it is nice and warm, however.

For members of the Weyburn Police Service, their job has them outside for much of the day, whether it is just driving, to investigations, handling traffic duties, and much more. To be able to perform their job safely, it means dressing appropriately for the conditions.

Deputy Police Chief Rod Stafford explained just wearing winter gear can present its own unique set of challenges for police officers.

“Members are always more mindful as they do bundle up that they have less and less ability to quickly react, or less and less ability to quickly get at the tools of their trade should they be required,” he pointed out.

It doesn’t mean the cold prevents officers from doing their jobs. It just means some modifications. Stafford cited as an example when officers have to secure a scene, they will rotate officers through on a regular basis to ensure they have time to warm up.

Other duties for officers don’t change very much either. Stafford pointed out extreme cold doesn’t deter officers from handing out traffic tickets when they are warranted.

“It may seem forever if you’re the recipient of that interaction with the police, but really it's two or three or four minutes, most of which is spent back in the patrol car process the ticket.