The Ottawa Police Service is looking for an additional $44 million from taxpayers next year to fund the hiring of 50 new police officers, equip all officers with body cameras and cover salary increases. A report tabled at the Ottawa Police Services Board’s finance and audit committee meeting on Thursday outlined the service’s approach to the 2027 budget, calling it a “plan for service, capacity and financial sustainability.” The plan calls for an 11 per cent increase to the police levy on property tax bills next year. The biggest price tag is the hiring of 50 new officers in 2027 to cover growth, at a cost of $10 million, as part of a four-year plan to hire 200 new officers. Staff say the budget increase will also cover collective agreement obligations, with a 2027 wage increase costing $14 million, $4 million to fund 650 body-worn cameras for officers and a $4 million increase in the overtime budget. A digital transformation strategy will cost $2 million and artificial intelligence support for investigations will cost $2 million. There is also $5 million in the budget to support planning for the new professional development centre. The budget does say Ottawa police will target $2 million in efficiencies beyond “traditional solutions,” and will examine overtime, vacancies, discretionary spending and service delivery. According to the presentation, the Ottawa Police Service will establish a “broader efficiency and value-for-money program” in 2028. The Ottawa Police Service is facing a $22 million deficit this year, which includes $10 million in non-recoverable overtime costs this year. The 2027 budget will be presented to the Ottawa Police Service’s Board on Jan. 27. The board will approve the 2027 Ottawa Police Service budget on Feb. 22, and it goes to council for full approval on Feb. 24. The $484 million 2026 Ottawa Police Service’s Budget included a $26 million increase in funding, which added $36 to the average property tax bill.
