Calgary's top police official has issued a stark warning about the city's thin blue line, stating that years of understaffing have created a critical need for hundreds of new officers. Police Chief Katie McLellan points to a decade of minimal growth in police numbers that has failed to match the city's expanding population and rising social challenges.
A Decade of Stagnant Police Growth
In a revealing assessment, Chief McLellan shared a startling statistic with the public. Over the past nine years, the net increase in Calgary police officers has averaged only 18 per year. This figure accounts for officers who joined the service versus those who retired or left, painting a picture of a force in a state of near-stagnation.
"We have not grown with the city," McLellan stated bluntly, highlighting the disconnect between civic expansion and police resources. She expressed that the current numbers leave her and her command team feeling speechless and astounded, given the concurrent growth in population, crime, and social disorder.
The Catch-Up Plan: Hundreds Needed Now
To address the significant shortfall, the Calgary Police Service is now looking at a substantial hiring push. The immediate plan involves bringing on approximately 660 new police officers over the next four years. However, Chief McLellan cautions that this target is fluid.
When accounting for the normal attrition of officers retiring or leaving the service during that same four-year period, the net gain for the city would be closer to 300 additional officers. This number is seen as the essential minimum to begin closing the gap created by years of underinvestment.
Public Sentiment and a Shift in Tolerance
Chief McLellan believes Calgarians are increasingly aware of the policing challenges and support bolstering the service. She senses a shift in the public's patience regarding crime and social disorder issues.
"I really see the pendulum swinging the other way," McLellan said. "I think we became quite tolerant over the past several years. People are now just fed up. They are compassionate but they are fed up."
The Police Chief emphasized that while helping vulnerable individuals in crisis remains a core duty, it cannot be the only focus. The service must also address the broader spectrum of public safety concerns that are impacting communities across Calgary. This call for resources comes amid ongoing scrutiny of past city council decisions on infrastructure and civic priorities, placing police staffing firmly on the agenda as a critical issue demanding immediate attention.
