Re: Policing costs

Oct 22, 2014

Your article on North Frontenac Council's OPP cost crisis (October 16) is timely. The spiraling increase in OPP costs should encourage councilors and residents to ask some hard questions. Nationally, crime is falling rapidly (over 25% in the last decade) but police costs continue to rise. Police in Canada are paid significantly more than their American counterparts, sometimes close to twice as much, though they face markedly less violent crime.

In looking at value for money, the police are no different from any other service; the key measure of police performance is the clear-up rate. What proportion of reported crimes result in a successful investigation and prosecution? Have clear-up rates increased or decreased as police costs have soared? Policing costs are causing budgetary challenges for all municipalities. It is time to ask for some answers.

Martin Loney