Hundreds of Saskatoon police officers are rolling up their sleeves at SaskTel Centre this week to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
On Wednesday, hundreds went to the arena to be vaccinated. By Thursday, more than 300 people are expected to get a shot.
The vaccination clinic, which The Saskatoon Tribal Council is operating, extended an invitation to vaccinate officers after seeing the province announce police and other first responders would be vaccinated via mobile units earlier this month.
Chief Mark Arcand said it’s the right thing to do.
“We made it a goal from the chiefs of our Saskatoon Tribal Council talking about inclusiveness, not diversity and exclusion,” he said.
“We’re in a battle here. Every race, every culture, every age. COVID doesn’t see any of that. It just attacks people. If we all roll up our sleeve and get poked, we’re going to win the war.”
Earlier this week, Saskatoon police chief Troy Cooper said challenges have been far-reaching for officers.
Since the pandemic began, 281 members have had to self-isolate due to potential COVID exposures. Seventy members have had to isolate twice, while another eight have isolated three times.
Two officers have been forced into isolation four times.
Cooper is hoping Thursday’s round of vaccinations will calm officers’ worries.
“That really weighs on your mind when you get dispatched to a call,” he said.