SooToday received the following letter from an inspector with the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service regarding the Service's budget.
I am an Inspector with the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service with more than 36 years of service.
Recently I watched the Sault Ste. Marie City Council meeting at which the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service budget was spoken about at length as the 2024 budget had gone over by approximately $3 million.
At one point it was mentioned that there are several people currently off work due to circumstances such as sick benefits and WSIB. A question was asked by one councillor if there were any officers off on WSIB that are eligible to retire. The answer to that is yes, I am one of them.
I am disappointed that the reason for the overage would be laid at the feet of individuals that, while serving their community, were injured at work. While the cost of hiring above authorized strength to backfill for those people is a significant contributing factor, the decision to hire above authorized strength is one made by the Chief of Police and, typically, approved by the Police Services Board.
It should be clear to anyone that an increase in the authorized strength and hiring more people would have an impact on the budget.
It is also assumed, I believe, that once a member is medically cleared for return to duty that they are brought back expediently. I can advise you that that is not the case, at least in my situation, and I believe with others as well. The reason that some are off duty for as long as they are is not a reflection of their willingness or ability to return to work, but of administrative delays that prevent them from returning.
Workers who have been injured on duty should not be made to feel guilty, on top of whatever other mental health issues they are facing, that their doctor has recommended that they take time off work to heal.
Mike Davey
Inspector
Sault Ste. Marie Police Service