The Toronto Police Services Board is undergoing its budget process for 2024 and is seeking more funds to better serve the city.
The Board’s Budget Committee at its meeting on December 12 will be asking for $2,355,300 more for next year, which is a $178,500 increase over 2023.
If the request is approved by the Board it then goes to City Council later this month for consideration.
Toronto Police is one of the largest expenditure for the city. The force in 2023 had a budget of $1.16 billion.
Toronto Police are seeking more funds for 2024 in addition to their $1.16 billion budget. City News photo.
The Board said the funds are required for collective agreements, salary and benefits and non-salary expenditures.
“The proposed budget recognizes that the Board’s work and the work of its professional staff occurs in the country’s largest municipality,” according to the Board 2024 Operating Budget Request.
It said the Board was given approval to add three staff members in 2023 and some of the budget increase is partially due to the cost of the new hires.
The Police Services Board works closely with community officers at 22 and other Divisions.
The Board is a seven-member civilian body that governs and oversees the Toronto Police Service. They ensure services are delivered in partnership with communities and keep the city the safest place to be.
The Board also creates opportunities for members of the public, government bodies and stakeholder groups to engage and provide their perspectives and input in policing issues.
Its members are working with police on the implementation of 81 recommendations on comprehensive policing reform and implementing a report on missing person investigations.
They also work with the Board’s Anti-Racism Advisory Panel and Mental Health and Addictions Advisory Panel to improve guidelines.
The force also maintains a Marine Unit that is busy during the summer months.
Members work with Neighbourhood Community Officers in west-end Divisions like 22, 12, 13 and 23 and the Service’s Community Partnerships and Engagement Unit.
“The Board must continue its high degree of engagement with diverse communities on significant policing and police governance and oversight issues,” the request state. “Continue to improve public transparency and accessibility to its work and governance processes.”
A priority in 2024 is to work collaboratively with the Ontario Human Rights Commission on the inquiry into racial profiling and racial discrimination of Black persons by the Toronto Police.
“Enhanced outreach and engagement of diverse communities, including Black, Indigenous and other racialized communities across Toronto,” the request said.
Officers are on the go patrolling the downtown streets.
Some funds will be used to provide a honouraria for community members on the Board’s Advisory Panels and for American Sign Language (A.S.L.) translation services at its public meetings.
A significant portion of the non-salary costs are allotted for arbitrations and grievances. The 2023 budget included a $424,800 contribution to a Legal Reserve for the costs of independent legal advice.
Officers of the Traffic Unit are investigating a crash.
The increased staffing of the Board office, according to the Request, will have a positive impact for Indigenous peoples, immigrants, refugees and undocumented individuals, women, 2SLGBTQ+, persons with disabilities, racialized groups, Black, vulnerable youth and vulnerable seniors.
They “will be positively impacted by the additional focus that can be brought to bear by professional staff on matters of relevance to these groups and communities,” according to the request by Board executive director Dubi Kanengisser.
The Toronto Police Service is the fourth largest municipal police service in North America with over 5500 officers and 2200 civilian support staff.