Listen to this article
Estimated 3 minutes
The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.
The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) is forecasting a $21.6-million operating deficit this year, as rising overtime, staffing and other costs continue to put pressure on its budget.
In a quarterly financial report presented to the Ottawa Police Service Board finance committee on Friday, police say they’re facing $30.5 million in year-end pressures.
However, the report identifies $8.9 million in savings and other offsets.
The biggest budget pressure is non-recoverable overtime, which is expected to cost the service $10 million this year.
This overrun comes from efforts to maintain minimum staffing levels on the front lines, the report says. Also included in that figure are overtime expenses for court security ($1.1 million) and the force’s communications centre ($1 million).
Strategic projects account for another $5 million in projected costs. Those include $2 million for the special constable program, $1.5 million for the force’s district revitalization project and $1 million for a “staff stabilization plan.”
Associated with that plan is another $3 million in “corporate support costs,” including recruitment, background investigations, psychological assessments and outfitting.
The service is also forecasting $3.6 million in compensation-related pressures, including $2 million in Workplace Safety and Insurance Board benefit payments and $1.2 million related to changes to the sick leave plan under its new collective agreement.
The report also identifies $2.5 million in costs related to an unspecified but major criminal investigation in a landfill, one that required specialized excavation equipment and significant police resources.
At Friday’s meeting, OPS Chief Eric Stubbs declined to publicly share the details of that investigation.
Steps taken to address shortfall
The police force says it’s taken several measures to reduce the deficit.
OPS says it’s reduced non-recoverable overtime spending by $2.4 million compared to last year, resulting in a 24 per cent increase in savings.
Despite those savings, OPS members continue to work significant amounts of overtime to meet the needs of the organization and the community, police said.
Salary lapses have been frozen, meaning savings from vacant positions are being kept rather than being used to offset other costs. The report says that’s saved $2.5 million so far.
A hiring freeze on civilian positions in the first quarter has avoided another $1.5 million in salary costs, according to the report, while a freeze on discretionary spending — for things like travel, non-essential training and consulting costs— has saved $500,000.
The service is also counting about $2 million in other savings, including lower Canada Pension Plan contribution rates and increased revenue from background checks.
The report says OPS’s annual budget pressures have risen from about $10 million in 2020 to roughly $30 million today.