Saskatoon budget: Council approves $119 million operating budget for city police next year
City council has approved the Saskatoon Police Service (SPS) budget for the next two years.
Last week, administration proposed the SPS receive $119.7 million next year and $124.6 million in 2023 for their operating budget..
On Monday, the first day of budget deliberations, the recommended allocated funding was approved unanimously.
The spending represents the largest portion of the city’s proposed operating expenses, at approximately 21 per cent. Saskatoon Police Chief Troy Cooper said the money would be spent on addressing the increase of emergency calls.
With the money, eight new police positions are set to added in 2022 and four new jobs in 2023. Cooper said policing is changing to include more mental health support.
“We’re reimagining what should happens when you call 911, and only sending police when police are required,” Cooper told city councillors in the virtual meeting.
Cooper said police are working closely with the Mobile Crisis Service. He said the SPS is working on having calls directly dispatched to Mobile Crisis, rather than having officers dispatched and then calling Mobile Crisis crews once officers arrive to the scene.
“We see ourselves as one part of a continuum of public safety service providers,” Cooper said, referencing the Okihtcitawak Patrol Group.
Ward 1 Coun. Darren Hill said he was originally prepared to move a lower number for the police expenditures.
“However, after the presentation and reviewing the materials … I am comfortable supporting this,” Hill said in the meeting.
Hill moved the police spending recommendation which was seconded by Ward 9 Coun. Bev Dubois.
City councillors still have to give final approval to the city budget once deliberations are complete.
Councillors and the Mayor are set to continue deliberating the budget on Tuesday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
AstraZeneca says it will withdraw COVID-19 vaccine globally as demand dips
AstraZeneca said on Tuesday it had initiated the worldwide withdrawal of its COVID-19 vaccine due to a 'surplus of available updated vaccines' since the pandemic.
Toronto police seek suspect vehicle after security guard shot outside Drake's mansion
Toronto police are seeking help from the public as they continue to investigate a shooting that seriously injured a security guard outside rapper Drake's mansion.
World's record-breaking hot temperature streak stretches through April
The world just experienced its hottest April on record, extending an 11-month streak in which every month set a temperature record, the European Union's climate change monitoring service said on Wednesday.
Most of Canada to receive emergency alert test today
The federal government will test its capacity to issue emergency alerts today, with the exception of Ontario, where the test will take place on May 15.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Seafood, eat food: Calgary Stampede releases Midway menu
The Calgary Stampede has released its menu of sweet, salty and spicy treats available on the Midway for the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they've changed their name
After more than a century, Boy Scouts of America is rebranding as Scouting America, another major shakeup for an organization that once proudly resisted change.
Ontario man devastated to learn $150,000 line of credit isn't insured after wife dies
An Ontario man found out that a line of credit he thought was insured actually isn't after his wife of 50 years died.