Council approves 2022 Regina Police Service budget
Regina city council voted 7-4 to give the Regina Police Service a budget increase of approximately $4 million for 2022, following an eight hour meeting on Wednesday.
Chief Evan Bray was the first to present to council, outlining the plan to create 16 more police positions, seven more civilian positions and another deputy chief position Bray said would help RPS better manage its resources.
A section of the RPS budget questioned by both delegations and members of the public is the creation of an Aerial Support Unit.
According to RPS, benefits of the unit include the ability to track down suspects more quickly and discreetly, it’s potential role in locating missing people and other benefits in giving police an eye in the sky.
Former councillor and Board of Police Commissioners member Joel Murray told council air support had been discussed as far back as 2017 but was put on the back burner.
The cost of the airplane and associated instruments is roughly $1.2 million but Bray told council much of the cost will be covered by a combination of SGI, Civil Forfeiture and leftover money from 2019.
According to Bray, SGI agreed to contribute thanks to the benefits seen in Saskatoon's program.
Delegations expressed concerns over ongoing operational costs and called for the city to shift more funding to harm reduction and other similar initiatives. Bray said he is open to further discussions on working together with the City on those types of efforts, given the role they can play in reducing police strain.
"What you're talking about is allowing police to respond and get a situation that potentially is volatile and risky under control, then being able to say to another agency this is actually more in your wheelhouse to do," Bray said. "So now there's no risk, we have no charges to lay here, can you take this person and provide them with help?"
Still ahead are more delegations and discussion on the larger city budget proposal getting underway 9 a.m. Thursday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Man convicted of involuntary manslaughter in father's drowning, told police he was baptizing him
A Massachusetts man who told police he was exorcising a demon and performing a baptism when he shoved his father's head under water multiple times has been convicted of involuntary manslaughter in his death.
New Norad commander calls Canada's defence policy update 'very encouraging'
American troops will be spending more time training in the Far North, the new commander of Norad says, a strategy that fits 'hand-in-glove' with Canada's renewed focus on Arctic defence.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Are Canadians getting sick from expired food?
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Documents reveal Ottawa's efforts to get Loblaw, Walmart on board with grocery code
It was evident to the federal government as early as last fall that Loblaw and Walmart might be holdouts to the grocery code of conduct, jeopardizing the project's success.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.