London's police chief is downsizing his ranks.
Chief Brad Duncan has instituted a hiring freeze on new officers.
He says it's the only way to meet the budget demands of city council.
By the end of 2014, London will have six to eight fewer police officers and many services Londoners have come to expect from police will likely be scaled back.
"Would we be in this particular situation if we had received the total allocation that the board asked for? No we would not. But the reality is we are in this position," says Duncan.
More than 90 per cent of the police service's $93-million budget goes to salary costs.
Currently there are 600 officers and 200 civilian staff.
Duncan's plan includes:
- six to eight fewer uniform officers lost through attrition
- some internal positions will switch from uniform officers to lower cost civilian staff
- departments will be restructured
- reduction to non-core services that could include police in schools or other community service
"The work is good, the work is important to the community but it may not be something we are able to sustain," adds Duncan.
Although the chief emphasized some things won't change, including no layoffs, no impacts to front-line service and no impacts on investigations.
Ward 4 Councillor Stephen Orser says council's tough fiscal message is getting through.
"This is putting police in a position where they are going to search out efficiencies and that should address the problem," says Orser.
In February, council slashed the requested increase to the police budget by $500,000.
In April, council also refused to cover a $268,000 deficit from last year.
The changes are a tough pill to swallow for union representatives from the London Police Association (LPA).
"We are basically being directed or forced into a situation where we have no choice but to consider service delivery review. We understand that. We will be part of the conversation," says Rick Robson of the LPA.
"They have to accept the fact that the way we do business has to change," adds Duncan.
