Board of Police Commissioners approves and recommends increase to 2021 Saskatoon police budget

The 2021 Saskatoon Police Services budget, which was already approved, may see a significant increase.

At Thursday’s Board of Police Commissioners meeting, members voted to approve and forward the new preliminary police capital and operating budget estimates.

The already approved 2021 budget increased from $99,682,100 in 2020, to $103,997,900 in 2021. That’s an increase of about $4.3 million. The police budget makes up about 21 per cent of the City of Saskatoon’s overall budget.

However, during the meeting, police chief Troy Cooper explained that the police force needed an additional $498,300 for more officers. Because of collective agreement negotiations, five sergeant positions have been replaced with special constable positions instead.

“The additional cost in this budget is tied strictly to the negotiated five special constables,” he explained. He added that cost savings would be seen sometime between 2023 and 2024.

The police force’s capital budget, which also was already approved at $2,693,000, would see a net increase of $176,000 so body cameras could be purchased for front line officers.

Commissioners, including Mayor Charlie Clark, questioned the additional expenses to some extent, indicating that they have a responsibility to the public to explain and to account for the increases.

“I think it’s important to recognize that we all have the same responsibility to evaluate the budget, ask questions about the budget, understand the implications that it’s going to have for operations and… yes, there’s a reality that those of us on council have to be able to present the budget to the citizens as well,” said Clark.

Cooper told the commissioners that if there was an issue with the budget increase, it should be addressed as soon as possible, so potential alternatives could be explored.

“My suggestion would be, if this is something that those who are going to be sitting on council feel is going to be a sticking point, I’d rather address it now.”

Clark however, said he was ready to support and defend the nearly $675,000 total increase.

“I believe I am prepared to go forward and just defend this as a strategy that has that long term benefit.”

The increase was unanimously approved and will be forwarded to a future city council budget meeting, likely in November.