KW police management was told (asked?) to reduce it's budget by $1.8M, last year. Apparently that equals 8 constables. So, through attrition, 8 constables are less in Kitchener Waterloo.
Sad to remark, but, more than education, more than every kind of health care, "policing" is the largest civil budget expense in KW.
This year, the chief of local police is asking for more money, arguing that he met the budget cuts last year.
Refreshingly, the community is pushing back, saying police unions have too much power and are well beyond overpaid.
One time, I was arrested on my front lawn by a fellow who said "Jeff, it's me, xxx!". And following that I learned a few things from facebook about other people I knew from highschool. And I garnered a profile of the type of people who become cops.
All I can say is that they are generally unaccountable to anyone and they are ineffective and overpaid, at least in KW.
-jM
A&D