$8.2M increase proposed for Windsor police operating budget

The Windsor Police Service says it needs more money. How much? An additional $8.2M in its next operating budget.

That's the figure that will be presented at a special meeting of the Windsor Police Services Board on Nov. 20.

The amount represents a 7.9 per cent increase of the police operating budget compared to 2024, bringing the service's total net operating budget to $111.7M.

According to budget details, the increase is mainly driven by a higher total salary cost: From $74.6M currently to $82.7M next year.

In the budget highlights, Windsor Police Service points to initiatives such as enhancements of its Nurse Police Teams, Crisis Response Team, and Intimate Partner Violence Team.

There's also the "Strengthen the Core" plan, which involves expanding downtown patrols with 12 more sworn officers.

WPS says it has tried to mitigate the increased costs with overtime reduction strategies, maximizing grant opportunities, and constant efficiency audits.

But the police operating budget has continued to grow. In 2023, it was $99 million. In 2024, it was $103.5 million.

In a report that will go before the Windsor Police Services Board next week, the service's director of finance wrote that the proposed 2025 budget is on target for "net zero line-by-line changes" in all areas except for thesalary pressures.

The report recommends the board approvethe draft budget.It would then go to city council for consideration.

Windsor city council's budget deliberations are expected to begin in January.