Police Services Board concerned about 7.1% funding increase, bringing the budget to $190-million
A Niagara Police Services board member calls a 7.1% increase in the police budget a lot of money, the biggest budget in the region.
Port Colborne Mayor Bill Steele and colleagues approved the $190-million budget for next year, which still has to be approved by the region.
He was particularly concerned with the doubling of mental health calls in two years, which jumped to over 11,500 in 2022. "Life has changed so much... being someone that's 61-years old, we can think back that even in the 80s, we didn't seem have this type of thing, and then all of a sudden it's really come full bore towards policing and the number of calls."
Chief Bryan MacCulloch noted mental health concerns are happening nationwide, and in all types of business, not just police.
The Chief says part of the ask is 20 new officers, as the force deals with parental and WSIB claims.
"On-going discussions with the Association with the hiring of disability management specialists, hiring of accommodation specialists, that we're able to get people back to the workplace quicker," he says.
With the doubling of mental health calls, the Chief maintains more officers are needed.
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