Sudbury police board approves $2M budget increase for 2017

Greater Sudbury Police are seeking a 3.8 per cent budget increase from city council for 2017.

Most of the money is being sought to pay for wage increases, but 0.1 per cent will go towards equipment and 0.3 per cent is slated for renovations to police headquarters and the Lionel E. Lalonde training centre in Azilda, Ont.

The $55.6 million budget was approved by the Greater Sudbury Police Services Board on Tuesday. 

Although the request is two million dollars more than last year's, Chief Paul Pedersen insists it is lower than many other jurisdictions. 

"We are a lean organization. We don't have extra staff," Pedersen said. "I can't emphasis enough just how diligent we are in this budget process."

The board was originally projecting a 4.1 per cent budget increase for 2017, but the number was seen as too high by some city councillors.   

Police 'historically' behind budget increases of other organizations

Last year, police received a 1.9 per cent budget increase, which was 0.7 per cent less than the provincial average. 

The service underwent a spending freeze to save money, but that is not expected to continue indefinitely. 

"Historically over the years, we've been behind by a point two [per cent] there, a point four [per cent] there. Over the years, we've been missing out on those other organizations that we're comparable to," Pedersen said.

"Yet, we still are giving our citizens pretty good service."

Police receive approximately 60,000 calls from citizens each year, according to Pedersen.

Right now, the service has a mix of 264 sworn officer and 199 civilians. It is not expected to ask for any more police officers this year, Pedersen said.

The board is forecasting a 3.9 per cent budget increase for 2018 and a 3.5 per cent hike for 2019.