A report unveiled at the London Police Services Board meeting on Thursday says the money set aside for policing in the multi-year budget will mean cuts to programs and services.
The report indicates that a $4.8-million shortfall - after council approved a $393-million annual police budget in January - means cuts will be deeper than at first believed.
“If the revised budget is passed, then we will have significant service gaps relative to the proposed new positions and the needs they would fill,” the report says.
Programs facing the chopping block include the school safety program, crime prevention, the COR (Community Oriented Response) program and the auxiliary police program.
The report states, “We expect some public backlash as we withdraw from programs, especially in the schools and those involving youth. In addition to the positive relationships we built with our youth, these programs were a recruitment tool and played a role in building our diversity.”
At least six positions will have to be cut, and relationships with senior management and the London Police Association are affected.
“There was a strong sense that if concessions with salaries were made through negotiations then the (police) service could catch up in in areas we have lagged.”
While final budget numbers aren’t known, the report recommends that the police board appeal amounts across the four-year budget process.
