Q&A with OPP Commissioner on police salaries and policing costs

Viewed by many Ontario communities as an untenable financial burden, OPP costs continue to rise. Though often justified in the name of “public safety,” these escalating expenses raise a critical question: Who will rein in these costs, and at what price?
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Q&A with OPP Commissioner on police salaries and policing costs

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LONDON, Ont. — QMI's Jennifer O'Brien talked with OPP Commissioner Chris Lewis about rising policing costs, services the OPP provides and where we go from here.

QMI: What do you say to mayors who feel handcuffed by a police service they can’t afford?

LEWIS: I realize municipalities are struggling, not just OPP municipalities, but across Canada with the rising costs of emergency services. Eighty-five per cent of our budget is salary and wages and you can’t just start laying people off and selling police cars at auctions.

QMI: People are fuming about this recent 8.55% increase in salaries right now.

LEWIS: Major police forces in Ontario are fairly close in salaries. (OPP officers) got the 8.55% and suddenly created this crisis which was all OPPA (Ontario Provincial Police Association) and government of Ontario’s fault, but they were struggling to keep up with the Orangeville police.

http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/2014 ... cing-costs
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