Watch above: The Edmonton Police Commission wants to significantly grow the force, in light of a rising population and more service calls. Vinesh Pratap looks at the likelihood and the cost.
EDMONTON – Due to an increase in forecast population growth and more calls for service, Edmonton police want the city to approve 400 additional positions over the next five years.
In a May 2013 report, the Edmonton Police Commission recommended the Edmonton Police Service increase its resources by 239 staff positions from 2014 to 2018.
However, the 2014 update shows more population growth and increasing calls to police.
READ MORE: Edmonton police launch new automated call system
Now, the police commission is asking city council to approve an increase of 400 positions from 2015 to 2019.
If approved, the number of police officers and civilian staff members would increase from 2,251 to 2,651.
“Just given the growth that we’ve experienced, the growth that we’re going to continue to experience, the numbers don’t seem out of line,” said Councillor Tony Caterina.
“The rationale seems sound.”
“No whether we as a council and as a city can find the proper balance of funding for EPS or for fire, or for development, that’s the challenge… how do we actually do this without really impacting the taxpayer?”
The commission’s report suggests the EPS would need 157 more patrol constables by 2017.
In 2013, the national average for the ratio of sworn police officers to 100,000 population was 197. The EPS is below the national average. It currently has a ratio of 186 sworn members per 100,000 population.
The police commission has added a request to city council for 40 additional staff in the EPS 2015 proposed operating budget.
“Every year… we sit down with the Service and we take a look at what the Service’s needs are for the next five years,” explained Shami Sandhu with the Edmonton Police Commission.
“Based on that, the situation changes every year. The environment changes. There are different crimes happening, there are different needs… changes in policy.”
Sandhu says the initial request was actually greater, but the commission decided to scale it back.
EPS is the most expensive department funded by the city.
Caterina said, when Edmontonians see how police services are addressed in the city budget, they are usually supportive.
“When we put the amount that police get on the tax bill, people have been very, very receptive to that, understanding that a portion of their taxes goes to this essential service.”
In 2012, EPS came to council asking for funding for 29 new positions – a $6.5 million request. Council declined the request.
Last year, the EPS requested $6.13 million to pay for 35 new positions, including 31 sworn officers and 4 civilian members. City Council rejected that request. Instead, council said it would ask senior levels of government for added support for police.
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