While it’s still negative, a variance in last year’s police budget is smaller than it was the year before.
Thunder Bay Police Service chief J.P. Levesque told the police board Tuesday morning that the end of 2012 showed a negative variance of $179,000. Considering he had to report a $1.3 million negative variance at the same time last year, board chair Coun. Joe Viridiramo said congratulations are in order.
“I’m pleased,” Levesque said.
Overtime, WSIB claims, legal fees and radio and cell phone maintenance resulted in the negative variance.
Viridramo said even though it appears the police force is moving in the right direction, there’s still work to be done to get out of the red altogether.
“I think the chief and present administration are doing that,” he said.
The board took the opportunity to ask questions about a recent investigation into an alleged “starlight tour” that proved false.
Levesque said that more than 20 officers were interviewed by members of the OPP during the investigation but were questioned during working hours so there shouldn’t be any overtime costs associated with it.
The investigation itself won’t cost the department because it has a mutual aid understanding with the OPP.
Virdiramo said it has been a concerning few months for the board with the amount of allegations coming forward against police officers.
“It kind of plays havoc on moral of the police you have an officer out there saying ‘well what do I do next? what am I getting charged with? I’m just doing my job’,” he said.
“It’s sad that young individuals would do this kind of thing not knowing what impact it has on the community.
“Our officers go out there every day, they’re putting their lives on the line every day and we don’t need to be tainted in ways that aren’t true.”
