Dear Members,
On January 18, 2023, a draft 2023 Operating and Capital Budget was presented to the Waterloo Regional Police Services Board.
The presentation included a proposed Operating Budget of $214M and a Capital Budget of $31M.
Our Police Services Board unanimously voted in favour of the Budget, citing an immediate need to address the challenges of increased violent crime and service demands in our rapidly growing community.
Our Budget includes a multi-year plan that will allow for the additional hiring of:
- 19 officers in 2023;
- 18 officers in 2024; and
- 18 officers in 2025.
This approved expansion of 55 officers, in addition to the 35 officers that were authorized in 2022, will allow WRPS to expand by 90 officers over four years (2022-2025). Further, our budgeting formulas will allow for the annual addition of civilian professional staffing to support the expansion of sworn officers.
While these are challenging times for policing across the province, and nationally, it’s encouraging to have the full support of our Board when it comes to the safety and wellness of the community and to you – our members.
I would like to thank WRPA President Mark Eagers for his passionate address to the Board, which touched on the urgency to address the needs faced by our members.
We will continue to work with members of the Finance and Assets Unit as we prepare to present to Regional Council on February 1, 2023. Final budget approval is scheduled for February 22, 2023.
We will provide regular updates and we welcome any feedback or questions you may have. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me, Deputy Chief Hilton, and/or your respective leader for any information or input.
On behalf of the entire Senior Leadership Team, thank you for your continued support, passion, leadership, and commitment to the residents of Waterloo Region and to all members of the WRPS. You continue to make us proud every single day.
Sincerely,
Mark Crowell
|
|
In celebration of this year's 50th anniversary, Dress Down Fridays will be done with a fun new twist in support of a local charity.
For a donation of $2, members are encouraged to dress down following a particular theme to highlight the many different genres, significant movies, or events that have taken place over the past 50 years.
Upcoming Dress Down Fridays:
- February 17 - 'Grease' movie characters
- March 17 - St. Patrick's Day/green
- April 21 - 70's crazy hair
Don't forget to email us photos of you or your team dressed up for a chance to win a prize!
If you have any suggestions for Dress Down Friday themes, please email Catherine Conoboy.
|
|
Wellness Unit: Did You Know?
The Wellness Unit is a two-person team committed to providing all WRPS members and their families support, education, and resources related to their mental health, physical fitness, and overall well-being, as well as guiding our members to the appropriate resources for their particular concerns or interest.
If you have any questions as it relates to the Wellness Unit, please contact:
To learn more about how the Wellness Unit can support you, visit At Your Service.
|
|
Your Community Thanks You |
|
From a grateful resident:
I want to express my appreciation and acknowledge the remarkable work of two of your officers who responded to a call for help for my neighbour and friend.
That afternoon, I was called by my friend after she had checked herself out of the hospital and needed help in her home. When I went to her assistance, it quickly became obvious that she had left the hospital too soon. I tried to convince her to let me take her back, but eventually, I needed to call the police.
The officers and everyone who responded were very professional. They were calm, reassuring, compassionate, and very kind in their care. They went above and beyond to care for my friend and reassure her as they went. I was truly impressed.
Please pass on my thanks to the officers involved. They are great representatives of your service and of police officers in general and show what true service looks like.
|
|
Member Awards: Get Your Nomination In!
Do you know an individual or team in the workplace, or community member, who has gone above and beyond?
We are proud to recognize our members and members of the public who have gone above and beyond. All members are eligible to nominate a sworn or civilian member of the Service, as well as a member of the public, who has assisted our Service in an occurrence or other positive way.
The nomination deadline is February 28, 2023.
|
|
Recognizing Constable John Laurienzo
On December 29, 2022, the Jaguar Landrover dealership had five vehicles with holes cut in the rear tailgate. Constable Laurienzo investigated the call and quickly established that the damage was an attempt at gaining access to the onboard computer, which could permit another key to be programmed and the vehicle stolen.
Constable Laurienzo liaised with the neighbouring businesses to obtain video and his efforts were noted in an email from the sales manager of Landrover who identified that Constable Laurienzo “was fantastic with follow-up” and that “his service was outstanding”
Although the suspects have not been identified yet, Constable Laurienzo is commended for his next level of public service.
Way to go, Constable Laurienzo! Thank you for your dedication to the Waterloo Region community for the past 20 years.
|
|
Service Overview for December 2022
We are committed to keeping Waterloo Region safe, 24/7, 365 days a year.
Last month, more than 1,200 road safety charges were laid and a number of illegal weapons and drugs taken off the streets.
Thank you for your commitment to public safety.
|
|
On January 14, 2023, Constable Dave Owen took to foot patrol in uptown Waterloo and enjoyed the opportunity to talk with community residents. |
|
Get Freezin' For a Reason
It is time to get freezin' for a reason!
Registration for the Polar Plunge in support of Special Olympics Ontario is open and we have already raised over $3,100!
Take the plunge with us on March 4, 2023, at the Children's Safety Village. Fundraise and be eligible to win some great prizes.
|
|
|
|
On January 16, 2023, our Break, Enter, and Vehicle Theft Team began an investigation involving a vehicle that had previously been linked to a break and enter and an assault.
With assistance from the Emergency Response Team, two individuals, the driver and the occupant of the vehicle were arrested in the area of Ardelt Avenue and Hanson Avenue.
|
|
|
|
Read about some of our latest investigations:
|
|
Cause of Kitchener House Explosion Deemed Criminal
Waterloo Regional Police have provided an update on a house explosion in Kitchener late Wednesday evening.
They say the cause has been deemed criminal in nature by the Ontario Fire Marshall’s Office.
Emergency crews responded to a townhouse unit at 150 Elm Ridge Drive, shortly after 11:30 p.m. Wednesday.
|
|
Check out the latest items in the Members Collection.
You may be asked to enter a password. Please use: 19732018
|
|
|
When did the WRPS Wellness Unit form?
|
|
|
|
|
Congratulations to last week's winner, Adam Kuntz, IT, who answered the trivia question. In 2022, the Police Service laid 21,121 road safety charges.
|
|
Last weekend, Police Service Dog, Nicho, enjoyed the beautiful sun and snow. |
|
We are looking to highlight our members in the internal and external WRPS Express newsletter. Please let us know if you - or someone you know - would like to be featured!
|
|
|
|
Want to have a say in WRPS Express?
|
The submission deadline is 4 p.m. on the Wednesday prior to the Friday's distribution.
|
|
|
|
For more information about the Waterloo Regional Police Service,
|
|
This e-mail is sent from publicinfo@wrps.on.ca, an authorized send only WRPS email, and is intended for registered recipients only. Any unauthorized reproduction, modification and/or publication is prohibited and may be unlawful. The WRPS name (including “WRPS Express”), logo, crest and content is subject to copyright. If you are not the intended recipient or, if you have received this message in error, please notify us immediately at publicinfo@wrps.on.ca. You may unsubscribe by clicking on that option at anytime.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
