Police chief Al Murphy and MHPS officials attended Monday's city council meeting where members endorsed a request that the province fund an additional two officers who would be hired and assigned to tackle problem areas in the community.--News Photo Collin Gallant
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City council will request the province provide more financial support for policing in the city.
A letter to Public Safety Minister Mike Ellis will specifically ask that the province “provide additional funding to support the hiring of two additional police officers” that would bolster ongoing work to add resources in problem areas.
Chief Al Murphy addressed council Monday to say the province has officers in major cities and boosted some other funding to tackle high profile crime.
“We’ve seen proportionate increases related to mental health and addiction in our downtown,” said Murphy, adding a second shift on the local downtown patrol unit was covered by overtime last summer.
“That’s not feasible in the long term. Two officers doesn’t sound like much, but it’s proportionate … it’s a reasonable ask, not exorbitant.”
Last year the province paid to hire 100 new officers in Calgary and Edmonton, increased funding by $27 million to the Alberta Sheriffs branch and now provides the Town of Coaldale with $550,000 per year to smooth a dispute with the federal government over RCMP coverage.
“When you think about the problems that cities are having in their downtown cores, Medicine Hat is no exception,” said Coun. Robert Dumanowski.
“It’s a visible issue and an issue of equality (of funding),” said Coun. Allison Knodel.
Two first-class constables could require an additional $250,000 in salary, according to available contracts.
Since 2018, the city has received about $1.41 million annually from the province as part of a Policing Support Grant, set at $16 per resident, plus another $400,000 through a new officer-training grant that now covers all officers.
Those amounts haven’t changed in six years however, argue council members, while policing costs have grown 13 per cent, compared to a 1.8 per cent increase in population.
The letter argues that Medicine Hat is also experiencing an increase in incidents, and deserves consideration for additional funds to address addiction, homelessness and mental health issues.
