Since 2015, there has been a 79 per cent increase in social disorder calls to Saskatoon police, and in that category is a 77 per cent increase in mental health-related calls. Chief Troy Cooper told City Council’s Governance and Priorities Committee that 150,000 calls for service is projected by the end of this year, which is a ten per cent increase.
He presented the preliminary budget to the committee, noting that they would like to hire nine extra staff in 2024 and ten in 2025. However, he added that the increase is in line with population growth keeping the ratio with the number of officers the same as it is now. The budget request is a 6.7 per cent increase. Cooper notes that inflation is the biggest piece of that increase.
Councilors asked about how the budget would be affected by the new emergency shelters funded by the province. Cooper hopes it won’t change the bottom line. He says, “Our hope is that we would be reallocate the resources that we have here. That would be our first plan and then maybe it might inform future budgets based on what we find. We are trying to be involved in the discussions about complex needs housing so that we can mitigate some of the impact it might have on the community, by our involvement.” He adds that if there are wrap-around supports, in the future, they may need less police resources rather than more.
The Police Chief says the staff increases include four more Patrol officers added in both years to address the rising calls for service, and three Community Mobilization Unit constables added each year. They maintain a presence in neighbourhoods with specific challenges related to complex needs, also in both years. Next year’s hires would also include a reintegration worker to support the mental and physical health of members as they return to work and an additional timekeeper to support the new city-wide Fusion Payroll program. The other 2025 additions would be an extra officer for the Serious Assault Unit, one tech support person and a second mental health professional to address the needs of employees,
One saving the Police Service was able to find was a more gradual rollout of the Body Worn Cameras. “We had initially planned to have that program done in 2025 and now it will be 2027 – $219,000 and $353,000 for the next two years.” That would take the Police Service from 80 to 120 cameras next year, then to 160 in 2025, leading to 250 body worn cameras in 2027.
The City’s budget deliberations are coming up November 28th through 30th.
