Defunding means cutting officers

The Hamilton Police Service (HPS) consists of over 1,200 employees. The Hamilton Police Association (HPA) represents these employees.

Councillor Collins has drafted a motion directing the HPS to evaluate the implications of implementing a 20 per cent defunding of the budget. Eighty-nine per cent of the budget goes to staffing. Thus, there is only one way to reduce the budget by that amount; reduce staffing.

The HPS has been understaffed for years. There is no denying this. Political leaders know this. Still, the HPS members continue to serve and protect, often to the detriment of their own physical and mental health.

What is the result of defunding? It is a reduction in service; it would mean 170 fewer employees, most of whom would be police officers. The HPS will be forced to restrict investigations into such things as; child exploitation, sexual assaults, elder abuse, domestic violence, gang violence (guns), and reduce traffic enforcement. Victims of crime and average citizens will suffer the consequences. Crime will go up. Neighbourhoods will be less safe. Property will be at risk. This is not a scare tactic, it is reality.

Make no mistake about it. People calling for defunding are not proposing a reduction in costs to the taxpayer. Rather, they want the funding to go to their organizations to utilize as they see fit. No individual sector can respond to our city’s needs. Police work collaboratively with social services and are required when these organizations are unable to adequately respond. Defunding will not work. Clint Twolan, president, Hamilton Police Association