Your Worship, Members of City Council, members of the community, I am very pleased to present to you the Brockville Police Service 2012 Operating Budget that will be required for the provision of policing services.

As you are undoubtedly aware, the Police Service Operating Budget was unanimously approved on November 24th, 2011, by the Brockville Police Service Board. One past member of the Police Service Board and two current members are here this evening as members of City Council. I am here this evening to present the Police Service operating budget on behalf of the board.

2012 Budget Guidelines to the Brockville Police Service Board made clear that operating budgets were not to exceed 3%. I am very pleased to report that the documents provided to City Council depict a net budget increase to the Brockville Police Service of 2.1%.

This reflects an overall budget of $7,112,877 for 2012 and an increase of $144,288, over 2011. Based on our population, the cost per citizen is $312.92 for policing services. The overall budget is an investment in our community and the amount per person is a reasonable cost for safety, security and well being. The dollar amount per citizen amounts to 85 cents per day.

The budget that I present to you this evening is a common sense budget with no added extras or embellishments.

Since beginning my appointment on June 1st, 2011, I have been diligent in monitoring and restricting our expenses in an effort to be as fiscally responsible as possible. There are however, driving factors that impact our budget such as;

• Contractual commitments

• Required and mandatory training
• Provincial adequacy standards
• Staffing issues
• Investigations and court
• response to over 11,000 calls for service

I am optimistic that in 2012, the Province will begin to upload court security costs and I am hopeful that an announcement is forthcoming. I have deferred replacing the Special Constables position until an announcement is made and a full needs assessment is completed.

As we look beyond 2012 there are issues that need to be considered such as dispatch staffing. Currently we are below minimum staffing levels in this area and while this is an inherited and historical issue, it will need to be addressed in the future.

Another historical issue is the expansion of our Police facility. The building is 23 years old and it is clear that the organization has outgrown the building. We have storage issues for both property and evidence and proper locker room facilities are required for both female and male members. Since the time of the building coming into use, adequacy standards have been implemented with required annual and mandatory training. The size and restrictions of our facility require us to seek out and utilize training venues outside of the Police Building.

I wanted to take this opportunity to share with you that this year in 2012, the Brockville Police Service marks a very significant mile stone. The Brockville Police Service was founded in 1832 and it is the oldest Police Service in Ontario. This year the Brockville Police Service celebrates 180 years of providing safety, security and service to the citizens of Brockville.

Since being appointed as Chief of Police, I have had the pleasure of being invited to numerous speaking engagements throughout the City. The message that I always hear is the same and that is, how pleased people are to have the Brockville Police, police their community and how proud they are to have the men and women of the Brockville Police provide for their safety security and well being.

I wish to announce that because of this significant milestone, the Brockville Police Service will be publicly celebrating our 180th birthday with our proud community at a number of events throughout the year. I invite members of City Council to join the Brockville Police Service as it celebrates its proud history and positive future as an exemplary institution in this community.

As stated previously, this is a no frills budget and as directed by the Police Services Act of Ontario, is submitted on behalf of the Police Service Board to maintain the Police Service and pay the expenses of the Board.

I thank you for your time and consideration to the matter of budget approval.

Chief John S. Gardiner

View the 2011 Budget Presentation

View the 2010 Budget Presentation

View the 2009 Budget Presentation

View the 2008 Budget Presentation

View the 2007 Budget Presentation

View the 2006 Budget Presentation