Calgary’s Police Chief says the requirements of the Calgary Police Service are not being sufficiently funded under city council’s recently approved budget.
Chief Rick Hanson says the allocation of funds will allow for the addition of 10 officers over the next few years, well short of the needs of a city of Calgary’s size. Hanson is asking councillors to revisit police funding, but, in the meantime, the force will make the best of its current allotment.
“We are using technology now to become extremely efficient,” said Hanson. “Some of our intervention programs are really paying off. We're starting to see decreases in crime. We did get growth positions this year, in the year 2014, and those officers will come on the street next year to address call out issues and workload issues.”
While the CPS has struggled to grow alongside Calgary’s population boom of recent years, decreases in the price of oil could hinder Calgary’s growth, allowing the force an opportunity to play catch up.
