Vancouver police seek to increase 2025 budget to $434M
A less costly option of $421M that was supported by city staff was rejected by the Vancouver Police Board
The Vancouver Police Department (VPD) is requesting an additional $23 million for next year's budget, bringing the total amount to $434 million. The Vancouver Police Board approved this proposal on Thursday, and it is set to go before the city council for final approval later this month.
In a statement to the police board, VPD Chief Adam Palmer defended the 5.56% budget increase, calling it "extremely reasonable." He explained that the VPD's requested increase places it among the lowest in the country, noting that after reviewing 18 police agencies across Canada, Vancouver’s increase ranks in the bottom two or three.
The board rejected a budget proposal of $421 million, which was $13 million less and supported by city staff. Palmer criticized this as a "keep the lights on" budget that would not adequately meet the VPD's financial needs.
Green Councillor Pete Fry expressed concerns that approving the proposed budget could undermine Mayor Ken Sim's promise to cap the 2025 property tax increase at 5.5%. Fry pointed out the $13 million gap and warned that meeting the tax cap could be challenging.
The 2025 budget includes a $6.6 million allocation to launch a permanent body-worn camera program for VPD officers. The plan would provide 812 officers with personal body-worn cameras, with an additional 169 cameras available for other officers as needed. The board has agreed that its finance committee will review the possibility of phasing in the camera program over a longer timeline.
Additionally, a separate report indicates the VPD is expected to end this year $9 million over budget. Factors contributing to the overrun include higher overtime costs due to protests related to the Israel-Hamas war, expenses related to planning for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and officers assisting with the removal of a tent encampment on Hastings Street.
Despite the financial challenges, the VPD reported a decline in crime in 2024 compared to the previous year. Violent crime dropped by 6.8%, property crime decreased by 13.6%, and break-and-enter incidents fell by 24.2%.
