Victoria Police proposes $2.5-million budget increase for 2018. File Photo.
Hiring more officers and an increase in special events funding are among the list of budget requests from Victoria Police for 2018.
At a Victoria special committee of the whole meeting Tuesday night, Victoria Police presented a budget report, which called for an increase of just under $2.5-million, up 4.76 per cent from the 2017 budget.
Among new items added to the provisional budget is a growth strategy that includes hiring six new officers and two civilian employees at a total cost of $870-thousand.
Also added is a $160-thousand budget for an increase in special events funding and more than $143-thousand for a real-time intelligence unit.
The goal of the unit is to provide timely information to improve the chances of solving cases within 48 hours, particularly for serious crimes.
Police have also asked for an increase in their Mental Health Integration Pilot, which aids in mental health issues and crime in Victoria’s downtown, of nearly $14-thousand.
The total 2018 provisional budget for Victoria Police is more than $54.9-million.
Andy Neal
