Waterloo Regional Police Services Board approves $5M budget increase for 2021

The Waterloo Regional Police Services Board has approved a$5-million increase to the police budget.

The police services board also approveda 10-yearforecast that outlines capital spending through to 2030.

The first draft of the budget came in at $189.2 million, but board chair Karen Redman told police tocome back with a smaller increase.They settled on a $185-million net levy for 2021.

"There's been significant challenges from a fiscal perspective as a result of the global pandemic. We have witnessed, and observed a significant social unrest," police Chief Bryan Larkinsaid Wednesday night.

The police budget now goes to the Region of Waterloo budget committee to be included in its budget process.

Regional council is set to approve its full budget in January.