The Calgary Police Service is in a spending mood, but it won’t translate to more officers on the streets.
CTV Calgary has learned Calgary police want to build a new warehouse for $12M.
The 100,000 squarefoot warehouse will house the police evidence locker and have space for expansion.
Police say building their own facility, will save money in the long run as they are currently leasing another property.
Deputy Chief Roger Chaffin says, as well, the new facility will be built specifically for their needs.
‘Our responsibility to the property that we store and the continuity of that property for the purposes of court for successful prosecutions is very very high and we just want to make sure our warehousing facility has that modern look to it for auditability and accountability’ said Chaffin.
But that’s not all, Police want to build a daycare for their staff to the tune of $90,000.
Scott Hennig, with The Canadian Taxpayers Federation Federation says that is money that could be spent elsewhere.
‘We don’t see that in most workplaces, we don't see employers offering a workplace child care facility so i think we need to re-evaluate whether that's something that's needed or whether they were trying to go above and beyond in terms of their offerings to their employees.’ said Henning.
The warehouse has been put out to tender and the plans are ready to go and construction is scheduled to begin in the spring and will take about a year.
As for the daycare, there is a building permit in place but it’s still very much in the proposal stage.
Both buildings will be built at the current police headquarters.
(with files from Bridget Brown)
