Moose Jaw police reinstate dismissed superintendent after review

The Moose Jaw Police Service (MJPS) reinstated a long-serving senior officer following an extensive legal review into a dismissal that occurred in late 2024.

Moose Jaw Police Service chief of police, Robert Davis, confirmed on Thursday that Superintendent Taylor Mickleborough has been reinstated to the service, effective this month, with full salary and benefits restored.

The decision was shared by police in a news release on May 14.

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Mickleborough was dismissed on September 30, 2024, by then-police chief, Rick Bourassa, under Section 60 of The Police Act, 1990. Mickleborough appealled the dismissal under Section 61 of the same act.

Section 60 of the act falls under orders “respecting incompetence or unsuitability,” which indicates a chief may take disciplinary action in the form of dismissing; demoting; suspending; ordering probation or close supervision; ordering counselling, treatment or training; or reprimanding a member of the force. This applies if the member has “rendered himself or herself unsuitable for police service by having been found guilty of an offence” pursuant to the Criminal Code or an Act of Parliament, or “has conducted himself or herself in a manner that, despite remedial efforts if it was reasonable in the circumstances to make remedial efforts, renders the member unsuitable for police service or establishes the member as incompetent for police service,” according to The Police Act, 1990.

Mickleborough is a 25-year member of the force “without any record of discipline, earning promotion through the ranks,” according to Moose Jaw police.

Before appeal hearings were scheduled, Bourassa retired in February 2025. In the same period, the service’s in-house legal counsel withdrew from the file, citing a conflict of interest.

According to the release, external legal counsel was retained by the Moose Jaw Police Service, while Mickleborough secured independent counsel. A comprehensive review of the evidence and applicable disciplinary principles followed.

Davis, who assumed the role in August of last year, said he was presented with the findings of that legal review and found that proceeding to a public appeal hearing would not be in the best interests of the organization.

The chief provided an official statement about the situation.

“I give lots of credit to the very experienced and highly regarded legal counsel that were engaged by both the Moose Jaw Police Service and by Taylor Mickleborough,” Davis stated.

“I am impressed with the professionalism with which they have assessed the evidence and the issues. Legal counsel focused on strong legal principles, including the expectation of high standards of conduct and leadership from senior members of the service, the absence of prior discipline, recognized contributions to the community over years’ service, the health and financial security of families, and the value of long-term police service to the community.

“First and foremost, we have based our current decision with the well-being of everyone in the workplace in mind,” Davis explained. “I have little doubt that a public hearing would have been incredibly stressful for all involved, detrimental to the culture of the organization, diverted resources from their regular duties at a time when we all need to focus on the safety of the City and, in the end, would have resulted in Taylor’s full reinstatement.”

Chief Davis also emphasized what he called an “organizational reset,” saying the situation presents an opportunity to strengthen workplace culture, rebuild internal relationships and focus on officer wellness and professional development.

“Like many of his colleagues at the police service, Taylor has a spouse, and they are raising a young family in the community. I am very mindful of the impact that a decision to end a career and livelihood has had on Taylor’s family, as it would in any policing family. I want all of our team to know and be confident that I will not take lightly the value of their service and careers, or their place in our community,” he said.

“Our focus going forward is building the overall wellness of the entire team by strengthening relationships, professional and personal growth, and creating conditions that allow for the whole team to learn and grow together so we can be the best we can be to keep our City safe.”

The Moose Jaw Board of Police Commissioners thanked legal counsel involved in the process and expressed support for Davis in resolving what it called a long-standing legal matter that predated both the current police chief and board membership.

The service said the specific terms of the reinstatement will remain confidential due to privacy considerations.