Battle brewing over police staffing

There seems to be a battle brewing between Hamilton politicians and the police service regarding whether the city needs more officers on the streets.

The police service presented a three-year study to the Police Services Board Monday afternoon, focusing on the workload of front line police officers.

The study indicates that in general, crime is trending downward in Hamilton. It also shows that the police service has one of the most efficient operations in the province.

But the study also pointed to problems — one of the most serious being that front-line officers are maxed out, in terms of time available for assignment.

Police Chief Glenn de Caire told the board that improving pro-active policing operations like school programs, crime deterrence and anti-theft will not be possible unless more officers are hired.

De Caire pointed to a previous report that suggested the service needed 60 front line officers, and 50 new civilian positions to reach the goal of committing 40 percent of police time to pro-active, anti-crime measures, and 60 percent — to handling current calls for service.

But when asked whether that meant police were planning to ask for new officers in next year’s budget — de Caire said the department wasn’t in a position to answer that question, yet.

The debate over the next police budget will not begin, until next year after a new city council is elected.