York Region approves 4.2% increase in police budget

The operating budget for 2020 is $348 million; the $42.4 million capital budget includes a new local police station

Newmarkettoday.ca
December 24, 2019

York Regional Police is pleased to announce that York Regional Council has approved the 2020 police operating and capital budgets, allowing our organization to continue to deliver nationally recognized crime prevention and law enforcement programs and investigative leadership to the more than 1.2 million citizens living in one of Canada’s safest communities.

The approved net operating budget for 2020 is $348 million, an increase of 4.2 per cent over 2019. The capital budget is $42.4 million, with capital spend authority for multiple-year projects of $57.4 million. We will be adding 34 additional members in 2020 to meet the demands of growth and increasing workload pressures, while maintaining quality service levels. These members will be deployed to District Operations, Support Services, Operational Command, Staff Services, Financial Services and Corporate Development.

The capital budget will provide funding for the new #1 District headquarters, the Marine Unit Headquarters, land acquisition for a future substation in west Vaughan, as well as the annual purchase of vehicles, information technology equipment and other specialized equipment. The approval of this budget will allow us to meet increasing calls for service, including those to the 911 Communications Centre and on the frontline. The budget includes continued investment in the mental health, well-being and psychological safety of our members to ensure we provide a productive, effective and healthy workplace.

There is also a continued emphasis on new, innovative initiatives such as digital evidence management, opportunities for civilianization and leveraging technologies, such as business intelligence, which are modernizing our service and supporting efficient, effective policing in a growing community.

“We recognize that in this challenging economic climate, York Regional Police must maintain our commitment to the safety and security of our residents in a fiscally-sustainable and responsible manner,” said Chief Eric Jolliffe. “This budget ensures we can continue to make a difference in our community through excellence in policing.”