STATEMENT FROM CHIEF OF POLICE RICK HANSON

Today, Sept. 23, 2010, a press release was issued by mayoralty candidate Naheed Nenshi.

 

In that release, Mr. Nenshi focused on the Calgary Police Service budget and specifically questioned two points: 1) Why has Calgary got the second highest per officer cost in the country, and 2) Why has the CPS budget increased by 23 per cent but the number of officers on the street has increased by only 11 per cent over the past three years?

 

The information presented by Mr. Nenshi is inaccurate.

 

We are very proud of the fact that we continue to police this city with one of lowest police-to-population ratios in all of Canada.

 

Calgarians can be assured that they not only enjoy arguably one of the safest cities in this country, but it is done so in a very cost effective and efficient manner.

 

Respectfully, to insinuate any different is not only ill-informed, but also irresponsible.   

 

With 15 candidates running for the position of mayor, it is impossible to sit down with each candidate and review our $300-million budget. I will not be drawn into a political debate amongst candidates during this election.

 

However, rest assured we’ll be very pleased to review our CPS budget, line-by-line, with the incoming mayor.

 

All 2,500 members of the Calgary Police Service are proud of the job that is done each and every day in policing this city. We are especially proud of the fact that it is done in a very cost effective manner. I look forward to meeting with the new mayor following the election.

 

Rick Hanson

CHIEF OF POLICE