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
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.