Whereas the Waterloo Region Police Service (WRPS) Board has changed its human resources reporting from quarterly to annual in 2024;
And whereas the Region of Waterloo council approved funding for 37 new officers in the 2022 and 2023 budget years combined;
And whereas WRPS experienced shortfalls in hiring new recruits and filling their full complement of officers in 2022 (14 officers per quarter) and 2023 (33 officers per quarter);
And whereas the WRPS budget comprises a significant portion of the Region of Waterloo's overall budget;
And whereas the WRPS Board will be presenting its budget to the Region of Waterloo on November 20, 2024 for consideration and approval;
And whereas relevant information regarding WRPS staffing has been requested and declined, and will not be available until after the budget approval process;
Therefore be it resolved that:
1. The Region of Waterloo requests that WRPS provide the following information as of September 30, 2024:
a) Authorized and actual civilian staffing numbers
b) Authorized and actual sworn officer numbers
c) Number of new recruits hired
d) Number of civilian positions filled
e) Number of retirements and resignations
f) Number of officers awaiting transfer to OPP
2. The Region of Waterloo further requests WRPS provide projections for the period of October 1 to December 31, 2024 regarding:
a) Anticipated civilian hires
b) Anticipated recruit hires
c) Anticipated retirements and resignations
3. This information be provided to the Region of Waterloo prior to November 20, 2024, to inform budget deliberations.