Chief supports protests, not ‘defunding’ NRP
Niagara Regional Police budget increased to $154 million this year — a 5.3 per cent increase over 2019
While dozens of Niagara Regional Police officers knelt alongside thousands of protesters in Niagara Falls Saturday, supporting their call for an end to police violence against racial minorities, there was one message they didn’t support — less funding.
Niagara Regional Police Chief Bryan Macculloch said law enforcement personnel are “prepared to listen and to learn” and do a better job.
“It’s an awkward time given the COVID-19 situation. Being here in PPE (personal protective equipment) is not really conducive to being able to show the respect that is reflective of who we are as police officers. We’re part of this community. We live here, we work here, we raise our families here. But we’re also mindful of the fact that given the COVID-19 situation, we’ve obviously got to take precautions.”
But amid the numerous signs carried by protesters saying “Black lives matter” and “No Justice, no peace,” several signs also shared the message: “Defund police.”
The Niagara Regional Police budget increased to $154 million this year — a 5.3 per cent increase over 2019 — helping pay for hiring 40 additional officers to bolster the front lines, after previous austerity budgets.
Protesters carrying the signs said the millions of tax dollars spent on law enforcement would be better used for enhanced mental-health services, drug treatment programs, housing programs and education.
Despite his support for the protest, Macculloch wasn’t as receptive to the “defund police” message.
“Our goal is to provide the best quality of policing to our community that we
can. Obviously, we have an oversight body which is our board who ensures that we spend money appropriately so we can deliver adequate and effective policing,” Macculloch said. “I think that any defunding would certainly impact our ability to police our community.”
Asked about the violent police response to protests in the U.S. compared to the solidarity shown in Niagara Falls, Macculloch
said policing here is much different than it is south of the border.
“We have much more oversight, but that by no means is indicative that we can’t do things better,” he said.
Macculloch said the violence detracts from the message that’s being “heard loudly around the world.”
“We as a police service and as police leaders, we’re hearing the voice and we’re committed to working with our community to make a difference,” he said.