Lethbridge Police Station

By Lara Fominoff

Police Commission to investigate cost of additional officers

Oct 28, 2019 | 6:16 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Lethbridge City Council has voted unanimously to request the Lethbridge Police Commission investigate, research and identify the costs of adding eight new police officers; two to every shift to help mitigate the current crime situation in the city.

During Monday’s meeting (Oct. 28), councillors debated whether the Police Commission itself should be bringing that kind of motion forward, rather than it coming from councillor Blaine Hyggen. However, after the unanimous vote in favour of it, Hyggen said no one is going out and hiring anyone- That’s up to the commission.

“This is definitely going to be up to the Police Commission to have this done, and that’s why it’s a request for them, and not a direction for them to do that. I hope they come back and let us know exactly what their requirements are, and together we can work, because of course it’s pot of money that we give to the Police Commission for them to use accordingly to what they need.”

While addressing Council, Hyggen said he’s received hundreds of emails regarding not just the recent increase in violent crimes, but an overall increase in some crimes that Police have highlighted over the last few months, including more in break and enters in certain parts of the city.

“It’s really been quite….there’s a distaste in the community for what is going on and, there’s frustrations for sure. The increase in crime – and I don’t know how to deal with it. I feel like this could be part of the solution and definitely not the end all, be all.”

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Hyggen says the since he put the resolution forward late last week, he’s had nothing but support for it. However, he also points out that officers have been strained as well. There has been an increase in police taking stress leave and others working much more overtime on a regular basis.

“I can’t reiterate enough, I’m pounded by calls about the importance of having more officers. So, I took it upon myself to dig in and speak to numerous, numerous officers and there’s not a single one that didn’t say, ‘I’m burnt out.’ What happens when you have an officer that’s burnt out? The fuse is a little bit shorter probably, dealing with things is little bit tougher. Let these officers have a life that I think they look forward to when they first got into that job…we want to make sure they’re serving us in the best way they can.”

He emphasizes that all of the recent initiatives implemented including “The Watch” and soon the Community Peace Officers (CPOs) program, play a big part in addressing chronic issues the city is facing.

“Anything that we can do to make the community safer is important.”

Police Commission Chair Peter Deys, who was in council chambers for the resolution, says he understands the frustration that council members and police officers are feeling.

“I think the Commission will certainly take the request and deal with it before …December. I think the challenge is that the Commission is given an envelope of money to use by City Council and so if you’re to look at the average cost to have a full constable on the street per year, and you multiply that by eight, you’re looking at $1.2 million. So where is that going to come from?”

The Police Commission will examine all possible options available, he says, with the hope that there may be some additional funds that can go towards the initiative.

A report will be presented to City Council Dec.9