The Waterloo Regional Police Service has added 120 uniformed officers during the past six years, and its budget overage for overtime in 2024 is projected to be $6.4 million — the equivalent of about 57 full-time constables. “It’s clear that adding officers is not the answer to reducing the overtime problem,” said Coun.
Rob Deutschmann, following a presentation by WRPS chief Mark Crowell to the region’s budget committee on Wednesday that outlined increasing demands due to things like population growth, homelessness and addiction, crime severity, growing numbers of public demonstrations and hate crimes being reported, new forms of cybercrime and swatting. “I hear the response, but again, it’s too simplistic a response to an issue that is far more complicated and needs a deeper assessment review by you and the (police board),” said Deutschmann, who again asked the chief to pause the request for another 18 officers in the 2025 budget. “Your overtime issue is out of control and you haven’t provided a satisfactory answer,” Deutschmann said, noting that staffing is “almost identical” compared to 2019 in terms of the average number of officers per capita.
Yet Crowell said there are now “infinite demands” placed upon WRPS members. “Just as a high-level comment, I take great issue with your characterization of much of what you’ve said, and I believe that we have been absolutely forthright in our ability to provide accurate and timely information to our.