The Toronto Police Service (TPS) has proposed a budget increase of $46.2 million or 3.9 per cent for 2025.
The police service said the increase is related to an approved multi-year hiring plan to get more frontline officers, respond to emergencies faster and increase investigative capacity to close cases.
The police service said for 2025, the plan would allow the force to recruit 109 net new officers and expand its neighbourhood community officer program.
"Residents will get to know and trust the officers embedded in their communities. Developing solutions in collaboration with communities drives trust and confidence in the TPS, reducing fear and crime," the police service said in a news release.
Hiring more 911 communications operators is also a priority, the TPS said, noting it is recruiting three classes of 30 operators each in 2025.
Outlining progress made during the year, the police said overall calls to 911 have gone down by 13 per cent.
And while the highest priority calls for service have increased from 2023, the police said they have improved response times by 26 per cent. "This is down five minutes in 2024," the TPS said.
According to TPS, traffic enforcement has improved this year, with a 12 per cent increase in the number of tickets issued thus far in 2024.
The force has been criticized in recent years for lax practices when it comes to ticketing drivers for speeding, running red lights or ignoring stop signs.
Other positives cited by TPS included:
- Firearm related arrests increased by 12 per cent to 747 by the end of the third quarter
- Thirty per cent of parking complaints were moved online instead of taking up 911 operator time
- More than 1,500 referrals were arranged to partner organizations, including facilitating gang exits
The budget proposal, which the TPS says excludes "collective bargaining impacts," goes to the police services board on Dec. 12.
If approved, the budget will be presented to city council in the new year.
Budget materials can be found at www.tps.ca/budget.
