Esquimalt declines Victoria Police budget increase for six new officers

Back in January, Victoria Police announced their intentions to seek a budget increase of $528,000 in order to hire six new police officers.

VicPD has not had a budget increase since 2010, so this move was approved by the Victoria City council.

However, since Esquimalt pays about 15% of policing costs, they also needed to approve the budget increase request in order for it to go through

According to CHEK News, the Esquimalt council rejected the budget increase petition, citing concerns that none of the new officers would be assigned to their municipality.

Mayor Barb Desjardins and the council were also uncertain about whether or not more police officers are actually needed in Esquimalt.