Hamilton’s Police Board released its 2025 budget earlier today – and the increase is nearly double what they claimed two weeks ago.
The Hamilton Police Service’s (HPS) operational expenditures will increase by 10.89 percent compared to 2024, with employee costs (including new hiring) the primary reason for the increase.
On November 28, the Hamilton Police Service Board issued a statement saying the budget increase was 5.7 percent.
“After much deliberation and consideration, committee members unitedly supported an increase of 5.7% over last year’s budget,” the Board said.
The Board did not disclose this figure was the tax levy increase, not the actual budget increase.
The statement included a December 9 cut-off for the public to submit written comments on the budget.
In the same statement, the Board said it would release the budget on December 10.
The Board initially dismissed public questions asking how the public could comment on a public they could not review.
Following public pressure, the Board “extended” the deadline to December 15.
8.32 percent required for status quo: HPS
HPS states an 8.32 percent increase is required to maintain current service levels and programs.
HPS is budgeting $240,915,416 for operating expenses in 2025, up $23,398,050 from last year.
They will draw $7,656,298 from reserve accounts, and are counting on increased grants, fees, and other revenues to lower the 2025 tax levy request to 5.70 percent.
The 5.19 percent difference will be the starting point for the 2026 tax levy increase request.
New hires
The Police Service will hire 13 new sworn officers and 27 civilian employees.
The 27 civilian employees include 16 special constables, six specialists to support body-worn cameras, four 911 communications centre supervisors, and one Race and Identity-Based Analyst.
New intimate partner violence unit
HPS will create an IPV unit in 2025, responding to Hamilton City Council’s August 2023 declaration that IPV is an epidemic.
Increases at the top
The Office of the Chief of Police will spend $1,061,093 more in 2025.
The Chief’s Office budget will be $8,994,008. The 2024 Office budget was $7,932,055.
The budget states the costs of administering the Police Board, which meets 12 to 18 times per year (including committees), will increase to $1,034,532.
This is an increase of over 25 percent compared to the 2024 Board administrative budget of $759,007.
Body-worn cameras and cybersecurity
The 2025 budget includes an up-front cost of $1.97-million to purchase body-worn cameras for 500 officers. The annual operating cost for the cameras will be $1.93-million.
HPS is upgrading its information technology systems, with a $1,441,443 capital allocation in the 2025 budget.
HPS projects 7.5 percent tax levy starting point for 2026
HPS’ budget includes a projection for the 2026 to 2028 police budgets.
The 2026 projection forecasts an operational spending increase of 7.7 percent, with a tax levy increase request of 7.5 percent.
HPS Board Will Finish Approving Budget on December 17
The Police Board will confirm its approval of the 2025 budget during its meeting on Tuesday, December 17. The meeting begins at 1:00 p.m. at Hamilton City Hall.
Addendum: The Police Board’s email contact address is kirsten.stevenson@hamilton.ca. The Police Board X post provided an incorrect email address.
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Published: December 10, 2024
Last updated: December 10, 2024
Author: Joey Coleman
This budget begs several questions but the biggest joke remains the process. First the budget. A one million dollar increase to the Chief’s budget to administer the police board meetings. Where did they hold their secret budget deliberations Shakespeare’s?. I commend the purchase of body cameras and hopefully the Chief can assure the public they will be on at all times and the video from them doesn’t include a freedom of information request. That would be transparent. Did the cost of hay for the equine unit increase. The horses are nice but a luxury. There really is no Hess Street to police anymore and outside dropping reminders of their existence on the street the only time they are visible is at funerals on Rymal Road.
Doug Farraway spittin bars