Edmonton Police Chief Rod Knecht said there may be some "controversial" cuts in the works for the department.

In the fall, the operating budget for the EPS was approved and a funding increase of $39.2 million was secured. However, the increase was $36.1 million short of what was asked for.

Because of this, the department will need to re-appropriate $9 million a year over the next three years.

"We've gotten to $7.5 [million] and we'll get to $9 [million] with some pain," said Knecht on Thursday.

In order to make up for the deficit, for the last three months the EPS has been looking over every aspect of policing in the city to see where cuts can be made. Something Knecht called a very "difficult, onerous exercise."

It's gotten to the point there is nothing left to cut and still do everything Edmontonians want us to do - Rod Knecht

"If there are areas that we can find efficiencies, if we can shut down certain things, run police cars a little long, the exchange of uniforms, just every little thing," said Knecht.

"Some of the savings seem minor, but if it is $50,000 here and $20,000 there it all adds up."



Knecht is confident he'll be able to meet the target but is not yet willing to explain how that will be achieved.

'Revolutionary' ideas

Earlier in the year, EPS consulted both the public and internal workers on how best to handle the cuts. Knecht said they have found ways to save through this process.

One idea highlighted by Knecht is to outsource prisoner transport to Sheriffs, which would save the department up to $450,000 per year.

"That actually puts 10 more police officers on the street that can be out there catching bad guys as opposed to transporting prisoners," said Knecht.

Downtown EPS officers take someone into custody during a routine patrol. (CBC)

Another way EPS is looking to save money is by freeing up police resources that would be tied up in hospital emergency wards.

Knecht says some police officers can end up waiting six to eight hours in a hospital waiting room. He proposes having a healthcare provider coming to the scene and advising police on where to bring the person and how best to handle the situation.

Knecht called the idea "revolutionary" and added they've also had "great success" discussing the idea with Alberta Health Services.

But even with all these ideas Knecht said the public will feel the impact of the cuts.

"It's gotten to the point there is nothing left to cut and still do everything Edmontonians want us to do," said Knecht.

"So now we're at a point where we have to stop doing certain things."