2024 Business Plan Update
The Saskatoon Police Service has made headway on about 80 per cent of the initiatives in its 2024 Business Plan. The update was shared this afternoon at the Board of Police Commissioners meeting.
Tanya Stewart, Director of police information and planning, says before the year began, the police service identified 43 initiatives that would bolster performance in five categories: Crime and Safety, Our People, Partnerships, Communication and Innovation.
“Within our Crime and Safety theme, we want to highlight the expansion of the community Mobilization Unit. With three officers in 2024, and two more added in the beginning of 2025, it brings the unit up to eight officers.”
The SPS also deployed an additional 40 body worn cameras, which brings the total to 120 body worn cameras service-wide.
One of the other completed initiatives was the implementation of Next Generation 9-1-1.
“This is Phase One of a multi-year transformation of 911 services in Canada,” Stewart remarked.
The tool will allow residents to ‘phone in’ emergencies via text, as well as send video of the current emergency. It is not expected to be online until the end of the decade, as all provinces must first get on board.
2024 Financial Report
The Saskatoon Police Service ended 2024 with a balanced budget according to its annual financial report, which was presented at today’s Board of Police Commissioners meeting.
Revenues were $3.4 million more than budgeted, due to the fact that both provincial and federal government funding were higher than expected. General Revenue was also $285,000 over budget, as Criminal Record Check revenue exceeded budget, again.
On the other hand, Police Chief Cam McBride says total expenditures were $1.7 million more than budgeted, as well, due mainly to staff compensation.
“Staff compensation was overbudget by $3.5 million,” McBride states.
The largest portion of overtime expense was for callout, which occurs when Patrol
members need to be called out to support activities beyond currently available resources. McBride admits that overtime pay is budgeted for, but it’s hard to do, as it is almost entirely guesswork.
Total 2024 revenues were $16.3 million, and expenditures totaled $137.9 million.
