Between 20 and 30% of Montreal police officers are absent from their post due to sick leave or injury, one of the reasons why overtime is still so frequent within the Police Department of the City of Montreal (SPVM).
“This absenteeism rate is added to the 250 to 300 vacant positions. This has a direct impact on overtime, because police officers are brought back on duty and are paid 150% to 200% “of their salary, explained the acting director of the SPVM, Sophie Roy, before the Finance Commission of the City of Montreal, Tuesday.
The head of public security on the executive committee, Alain Vaillancourt, said he was worried about the high rate of absenteeism and said that we are looking for solutions to improve the situation.
More than 61 million in overtime was paid to the police in 2022, while the amount anticipated for this expense was 28 million, reveal the financial documents unveiled last week following the presentation of the municipal budget.
In the City’s 2023 budget, SPVM funding is up $63 million, or just over 8%, to $787.1 million. This is the largest expense item for Montreal.
If we are to believe M.me Roy, the taxpayers aren’t done paying the police overtime. “Overtime is an integral part of the police reality,” she said. There are always things that cannot be predicted in advance, such as complex investigations, demonstrations or other events. »
PHOTO PHILIPPE BOIVIN, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
The acting director of the SPVM, Sophie Roy
Alain Vaillancourt points out that SPVM officers provide law enforcement for 1,800 events each year, in addition to supervising 600 to 800 events.
Does the municipal administration consider entrusting certain tasks to non-police officers, for example the management of traffic lights at certain intersections? “We look at all the elements that can improve the work of the police,” answers Mr. Vaillancourt.
The addition of police – the City of Montreal received 250 million from Quebec to hire 270 officers – will reduce overtime, he says.
Mme Roy, however, revealed that 140 to 180 police officers will retire each year by 2027. By the end of 2022, the SPVM will have 4,521 officers in place, while the target is 4,793 by 2025.
While candidates are not jostling at the gate, will new hires be enough to fill vacancies and retirements, while allowing a net addition of the number of police officers? Sophie Roy did not answer this question and refused the interview request of The Press.
On response times, which are now 6 minutes 11 seconds, compared to 5 minutes 35 seconds six years ago, the acting police chief says not to worry: these times are 15 20 minutes to Toronto and 10 minutes to Vancouver, she said.
Roadworks and congestion can delay police movements, she admitted, but the introduction of a new 911 call system within a few years will improve emergency response in depending on the proximity of patrol cars.
Sophie Roy will leave the SPVM’s interim management at the end of the year, following the choice of Fady Dagher as the new police chief.