A city councilor who sits on the Police Services Board says layoffs may have to be considered as the police force looks to balance its budget.
The preliminary 2012 operating budget request for Toronto Police comes in at nearly $970 million, a 4.2 per cent hike over the previous year.
The City of Toronto, meanwhile, has asked the police force to cut spending by 10 per cent as it faces a city-wide $774 million budget shortfall.
Currently, about 90 per cent of the police budget goes to salaries, benefits and overtime.
Considering that a major chunk of the police budget is tied to salaries, Coun. Michael Thompson tells CTV Toronto that the first layoffs in the police service's history may have to be considered.
Thompson says he doesn't want Toronto police to cut positions, but it may be unavoidable.
"I don't want to say it, but I think it has to be said that at some point, we may have to look at reducing the number of officers," said Thompson.
"At the same time, we have to provide a safe environment for the residents of Toronto."
He points out that crime rates in Toronto are down in every category but unsolved cases.
Police Chief Bill Blair will present his budget request at a special meeting of the Police Services Board Monday afternoon.
"Given the fiscal situation in Toronto, everything's on the table. But I'm trying to find every reduction that I can before impacting on service levels," said Blair.
Other cost-saving considerations include a hiring freeze, reductions in overtime pay and the reduction of over 300 civilian positions. Layoffs need to be approved by the police service, city counsel and the provincial government.
With a report from CTV Toronto's Alicia Markson.
