CBC News has uncovered that a Vancouver police sergeant received $239,258 in overtime pay alone last year, in addition to their base salary of up to $158,000. This information was obtained through a freedom of information request made to the Vancouver Police Department (VPD), revealing a pattern over three years of more officers earning double or more of their regular pay by working extra hours, while the department exceeds its budget by millions of dollars.
Green Party Coun. Pete Fry expressed surprise at the high overtime pay, emphasizing the need for explanations. VPD spokesperson Sgt. Steve Addison stated that the top overtime earner’s case was exceptional. He mentioned that the officer’s specific duties during overtime, which typically pays double the hourly wage, were unknown due to the data being anonymous.
The VPD attributed the increase in overtime to various tasks like filling patrol vacancies, managing protests, handling special events, and conducting investigations. Despite concerns raised by former Vancouver Police Board member Faye Wightman about the sustainability of the escalating overtime costs, Addison reassured that the department had no worries about overtime, citing that most extra shifts were based on officers’ preferences.
In 2024, besides the sergeant, seven constables were paid over $140,000 in overtime, doubling their top salary. The number of VPD officers earning $100,000 or more in overtime increased significantly from 11 in 2022 to 47 in 2024. The department is projected to exceed its budget for the second consecutive year, with overtime expenses being a major contributing factor.
The surge in overtime spending has raised concerns among experts like criminologist Josh Murphy, who emphasized the potential impact on officer well-being and burnout. However, Addison defended the department’s practices, emphasizing the importance of supporting officers engaged in dangerous work.
The release of these figures coincides with challenges faced by Vancouver’s public finances, with Mayor Ken Sim proposing a property tax freeze. The VPD’s budget for 2025 was set at $423 million, but the department anticipates exceeding this amount by approximately $8 million. Various factors like protests, the Lapu-Lapu Day incident, Task Force Barrage, and maintaining service levels have contributed to the increased spending.
Overall, the growing trend of police overtime payments is not unique to Vancouver, as other cities like Calgary, Toronto, and Montreal are also experiencing similar patterns. Experts suggest exploring regional collaborations to share costs more effectively and address staffing shortages. While the Vancouver Police Board is finalizing an audit into overtime practices, the debate continues on the sustainability and necessity of the rising overtime expenses in law enforcement.