The Waterloo Regional Police Service has unveiled its proposed budget for 2026, requesting an additional $20 million compared to the current year, bringing the total budget to $272.6 million. During a recent police services board meeting, a preliminary budget was presented and deliberated upon.
Key factors influencing the budget include adjustments for officers’ salaries and benefits to align with the cost of living, along with investments in software, training, artificial intelligence, and fleet maintenance. Kirsten Hand, the director of finance and assets, emphasized the importance of maintaining a sufficient reserve for equipment, vehicles, and facilities.
The service aims to recruit 20 new sworn officers in 2026, with 13 designated for frontline patrol services and six for investigative services. Police Chief Mark Crowell stressed the necessity of the increased budget to support a multi-year staffing expansion plan that caters to the growing community’s needs responsibly.
Moreover, the region’s courthouse on Frederick Street requires additional officers due to heightened in-person court volumes post-pandemic and rising violent incidents. This necessitates hiring five special constables and two sworn officers at a cost of $2 million, following a directive from the Ministry of the Solicitor General for enhanced courtroom security.
Additionally, an extra $1.2 million is earmarked to establish a dedicated full-time road safety team for traffic enforcement in the region, given the significant number of road safety charges and fatalities reported. This team would also support the frontline patrol division.
Public feedback sessions were planned by the police, with the first session held on Sept. 29 receiving minimal engagement. The second session is scheduled for Oct. 27 to allow the community to share their views on the budget. The budget approval process involves review and approval by the police services board, followed by the Region of Waterloo, with final approval expected on Dec. 20.