Hamilton’s elected leaders are likely to back the 6.8% budget increase for the police force following Chief Frank Bergen’s presentation to the budget committee on Tuesday. Bergen emphasized the importance of the $239 million operating and capital budget to enhance police presence in various wards, focusing on proactive measures over reactive responses. He highlighted the rising number and complexity of calls Hamilton police are handling compared to five years ago.
The proposed budget includes the establishment of an intimate partner violence unit, with 20 detectives specializing in investigations to free up patrol officers. Additionally, it would allow the hiring of 13 more officers to accommodate population growth and expand the core patrol model across different divisions. The budget committee is currently reviewing requests from various city departments and is expected to make decisions next month.
Councillor Cameron Kroetsch, a vocal critic of police spending, expressed surprise at this year’s budget process and acknowledged efforts by fellow councillors Esther Pauls and Mike Spadafora to reduce the initial budget proposal. Despite voting against the budget previously, Kroetsch commended the improvements in transparency and understanding in the 2026 process.
While recognizing the public engagement and better comprehension of police budgeting, Kroetsch raised concerns about the ongoing financial sustainability of increasing police budgets annually. He emphasized that simply boosting police budgets does not necessarily lead to safer communities.
Another council member, Brad Clark, raised alarms about significant budget increases projected for other police services compared to Hamilton. Chief Bergen defended Hamilton’s budget increase as the second-lowest among 11 Ontario municipalities, emphasizing the city’s approach of living within its means.
Councilor Clark also inquired about officer training to prevent violations of individuals’ rights and associations promoting hate. Chief Bergen acknowledged past charter violations and adverse court decisions, highlighting the implementation of Charter compliance training since 2024 to prevent such incidents. The Hamilton Police also have a dedicated Charter compliance team with a Crown attorney integrated into the service to review cases and address any criticisms from judges.
