Chatham-Kent (CK) police is reporting a budget surplus in 2024.
A report going to the CK Police Board of Directors showed a $1.66 million surplus.
The report showed the police service was $4 million underbudget in 2024 for patrolling and $494,000 underbudget for investigative support.
It also showed $1.5 million overbudget for operational support and $1.1 million overbudget for administrative support.
CK Police Chief Kirk Earley told CK News Today that the patrolling and investigation savings were a result of lower labour costs due to new, lower-earning hires, emphasizing that "absolutely" no corners were cut in patrolling and investigations to save money.
"If you take an officer who has been in their full career for 30 years and then you bring in somebody new, the difference in their pay is over $40,000. So, if you have 11 new people hired and 11 senior officers retiring, there's over $400,000 in salary difference alone," the chief said.
Chief Earley noted the operational and administrative support spending was higher than anticipated because of the rash of new hires, with extra spending for mandatory yearly training as per the new Community Safety and Policing Act requirements, and the purchase of new equipment and uniforms.
The chief added that overtime was also lower in 2024 because of fewer major cases to handle, such as homicides.
"As of 2024-2025, the massive push for hiring has shown us that we don't need as much backup overtime to cover for the road. We have a certain obligation for adequate and effective policing. We can never go below a certain number of uniformed officers at any given time on the road," noted Earley.
CK's Chief of Police plans to use the surplus to buy new technology, replace some outdated equipment, and perhaps do some building renovations because the police headquarters in downtown Chatham is at maximum capacity.
"I don't think we're in a position where we're going to ask for a new building or anything like that. I think there's an opportunity for us to look at where we can renovate here [CK police headquarters]. And the nice thing is that we do have multiple buildings in other areas. So, we do have opportunities, if we need to, to maybe move some of our resources, like maybe civilian staff or something like that, or look at changing schedules," said CK's top cop.
The surplus will be split 50/50 with the municipality, giving CK police a final surplus of nearly $830,000 for 2024.
