Policing in Saskatoon in 2019 will take close to 100-million dollars out of city coffers.
City Council has approved net expenditures of 94.6 million.
Chief Troy Cooper says the actual policing cost related to cannabis following legalization falls on the city. Cooper also told council during Monday’s budget deliberations the three additional officers devoted to patrolling will not fill the gap.
Cooper pointed to an independent consultant’s report that recommended officers spend more time patrolling in Saskatoon in an effort to proactively reduce crime and said increases in the police service work force hasn’t kept pace with growth in the city.
The 2019 police budget calls for the equivalent of ten new full time positions.
City Council budget deliberations continue this (Tues) afternoon.