Hamilton’s Chief of Police is defending his request for a nearly $20 million dollar increase in next year’s budget, which would make it the largest in the city’s history.

Last week, the Police Services Board approved a preliminary operating and capital budget of $213 million dollars for 2024.

Chief Frank Bergen calls the request for funding a “maintenance budget” with a large percentage dedicated to personnel.

Budget analysis provided to the Police Services Board last week reported that sustaining core services, which represent human resource costs for Hamilton, will cost the city an increase of 9.24 million dollars for a 4.7 to 7 per cent increase just on its own.

“My employee costs sit at 90 per cent of my budget. So my employment costs are affected by collective agreements. Collective agreements that look at benefits, look at merit pay and frontline supplements for priority response.” says Bergen.

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According to the police chief, the increase is necessary to maintain adequate service and meet the growing demands in an evolving city.

He says it is a part of the HPS’ 10-year human capital plan to maintain its current officer-per-person or cop-per-pop ratio.

“So, we had projected in line with the city as they talk about growth percentage up to and including 2050. We started saying okay, how are you going to police that, how are you going to expand your ability to service our community.”

Last Thursday, the Hamilton Police Services Board approved an increase of 6.88 per cent or $13.3 million over last year’s capital and operating budget for a total of nearly $207 million.

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The board also approved an additional 3.36 per cent hike or $6.51 million under a section of the Police Services Act that mandates a municipality must pay for all infrastructure and administration necessary for providing police services, including vehicles, communication devices and equipment.

Ward 2 Councillor Cameron Kroetsch, who sits on the Police Services Board and budget committee, had asked for those numbers to be separated.

“We shouldn’t have to ask the city to pay for certain costs. The city should pay for it, that’s how it works if you’re mandated by law to do so, just do so. That’s a conversation for the city to have. They can combine those numbers together and say here’s our total cost to do it. But that shouldn’t be the board’s job.”

When asked for what could possibly be cut from the budget if it does not get approved by city council, Bergen said he has not considered that.

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“Right now I’m not in a position, nor has my board asked me to make any cuts to that number.”

Meanwhile, in a statement shared with CHCH News Mayor Andrea Horwath said in part, “The budget presented by the chief and his team addresses the forces’ wage, benefits and staffing pressures and it is the responsibility of the board to approve a budget that will serve the needs of Hamilton residents.”

The statement continues, “I know there are going to be people who complain about increases to any budget, but I have confidence in the chief’s ability to transparently and effectively communicate his budget rationale to the board.”

The police budget will now go to the General Issues Committee next month, ahead of a full council vote on its approval.