Twenty six new officers despite tight police budget
Nov 18, 2008 - 11:55 AM
By Reka Szekely
DURHAM -- There will be 26 new officers on the streets of Durham next year, despite the fact the police are faced with a budget crunch.
Initially, the Region was looking to raise property taxes by 4.9 per cent. Of the total property tax increase, 1.5 per cent would have gone to the Durham Regional Police Services (DRPS). But, when Regional council chose to decrease its budget guideline to a four-per-cent tax increase, the police slice of the funding pie decreased to 1.3 per cent.
As a result, the police will have $431,000 less to work with than originally expected, but the 2009 budget, at $137.8 million, will still be larger than this year's $131.6 million.
"I'm content we can reach that budget target," said Police Chief Mike Ewles at Monday's police services board meeting.
In order to get there from the budget first proposed, the police have changed the fuel costs, given that gas prices are trending lower. Also, they're looking at other factors, such as the number of staff who take their statutory holidays as opposed to working and getting paid extra. Finally, if the budget tightens next year, the police can leave vacancies empty a little longer before filling them. However, the chief says he's hoping it won't come to that. The volatility of fuel is the risk in the budget, he said.
Overall, the police did not have much flexibility as the largest portion of the budget goes to salaries and benefits.
"Can't really touch that at all," said Chief Ewles.
Of the 19 new officers included in the police budget, eight will be front-line constables in Ajax and Pickering and four in Oshawa. Whitby will also get a new officer. As well, four new detective constables will go to the major crime unit, two of which will be in the robbery unit, one in the fraud unit and one in the sexual assault unit to focus on child abuse investigations and assistance to victims of crime.
Two detective constables will be hired in the intelligence unit as part of a new unit aimed at prolific and violent criminals and gang members.
The police will also hire five civilians for roles including data analyses in the e-crimes unit.
This brings the total number of DRPS officers to 858 in 2009, with 307 full-time civilians as well as part-time staff, who are the equivalent of 50 full-timers.
In addition to the 19 new officers, the service has received approval for seven additional officers under a federal program aimed at getting more police onto the streets.
"The federal and provincial money is for front-line officers, the ones that drive around in cruisers that people can see," asked Durham regional Chairman Roger Anderson at Monday's meeting.
"Yes they are," confirmed the chief.
Last year the police budget included eight new officers.
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