The Lethbridge Police Commission presented a report to city council, highlighting the implementation strategy for the $1 million reduction in their budget early last week.
Lethbridge city council passed a resolution on Dec. 14, 2020 that the Lethbridge Police Service Budget be reduced by $1 million for 2021 and 2022.
Council voted unanimously to accept a presentation from Rob van Spronsen, Chair of Lethbridge Police Commission, on the Police Budget Reduction Impact during the Feb. 23, 2021 city council meeting.
Lethbridge Police Commission Chair, Rob van Spronsen, explained to city council that to maintain the service for the citizens of Lethbridge, Lethbridge Police Commission will be utilizing funds from the Budget Appropriation Unexpended Funds (BAUs) to reduce the impact of the budget cut on the employees for the next two years (2021 & 2022).
“BAU funds are funds that have been allocated in the budget cycle but not spent. The largest part of these unspent funds come from the salary budget of the sworn officers. The salary portion of the budget has allocated enough funds for 173 sworn officers,” said van Spronsen.
The commission will not only be using BAU funds, but will also be using potential retirements, claims like WCB and vacancies to cover the shortfall.
The Police commission has reviewed the budget and has proposed that it will not be reducing service levels at this time. The services provided by the Lethbridge Police is of great importance to Lethbridge citizens and nobody knows this better, than Lethbridge Police Chief, Shahin Mehdizadeh.
“Policing is number one priority for this community. We’ll maintain that all the time and if we need to cut programs, it’s going to be programs that are important but not critical to core policing functions,” said Shahin Mehdizadeh, Lethbridge Police Chief.
However, the report highlights the fact that once the BAU funds run out, the budget reduction will result in reduced service levels potentially impact full-time positions at Lethbridge Police Service.
The Police Commission will be working over the next year to develop a strategic plan in coordination with the Lethbridge Police Service, city council and the public.
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