The proposed police department budget for next year has a zero per cent increase but the draft city budget next year would see a cut of 270 thousand dollars.
New Police Chief John Bates says it’s no coincidence 270 thousand dollars would cover the cost of hiring 4 more officers next year and he would be disappointed if he’s not able to add those new recruits. Chief Bates also questions whether the level of policing can be maintained without additional human resources.
Both the Chief and the Saint John Police Association have expressed concern over burnout resulting from the amount of overtime needed to maintain minimal levels of service.
