LONDON, Ont. — QMI's Jennifer O'Brien talked with OPP Commissioner Chris Lewis about rising policing costs, services the OPP provides and where we go from here.
QMI: What do you say to mayors who feel handcuffed by a police service they can’t afford?
LEWIS: I realize municipalities are struggling, not just OPP municipalities, but across Canada with the rising costs of emergency services. Eighty-five per cent of our budget is salary and wages and you can’t just start laying people off and selling police cars at auctions.
QMI: People are fuming about this recent 8.55% increase in salaries right now.
LEWIS: Major police forces in Ontario are fairly close in salaries. (OPP officers) got the 8.55% and suddenly created this crisis which was all OPPA (Ontario Provincial Police Association) and government of Ontario’s fault, but they were struggling to keep up with the Orangeville police.
http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/2014 ... cing-costs