The Edmonton Police Service is looking for public feedback as it makes cuts to its service.

"We have the philosophy no call is too small — not anymore," said Chief Rod Knecht in a year-end interview with CBC News.

"We're a big city now, and we have our challenges and we have finite resources. So we're going to have to decide what calls can we go to and what calls can we not go to."

To help with that decision, Knecht said in the first few months of 2016 police will seek public feedback through town hall meetings and online surveys.

"I think that's important that the community inform us on which calls they want to see us go on, where they want to see the investment of finite resources," he said.

Earlier in December city council rejected a proposed $48.6-million increase to the police budget over three years, agreeing to hike the budget by only $9 million.

At the time Knecht warned the money would not go far and cuts were likely on the horizon.

He said police have committed to a seven-minute response time for priority calls, but right now that's only being met 65 per cent of the time.

Despite the budget crunch, two additional investigators will join the domestic violence unit, for a total of 10.

"We just have to," said Knecht. "Volume is up."

Const. Daniel Woodall died after being shot in a standoff in June, a tragedy Chief Rod Knecht calls the low point of 2015. (CBC)

Domestic violence shot up this year by more than 17 per cent compared to 2014, said the chief, although EPS did not provide more specific numbers requested by CBC.

Initially it was thought the increase in domestic violence was the result of better messaging, leading to more victims coming forward. But Knecht said it became clear that was not the case as they watched the numbers climb over three years.

He said that has left frontline officers investigating "complex calls" that are "historically quite dangerous."

Knecht said domestic violence calls require a multilevel response that includes separating those involved, ensuring children are in a safe environment, dealing with extended families and addressing the needs of the victim and, in many cases, the perpetrator.

"If we just forget about him he goes on to another relationship, and another relationship and another relationship, and so there's this victimization that just continues on," said Knecht.

Knecht described 2015 as a tough year, with the low point coming in June when Const. Daniel Woodall, an eight-year veteran, was shot in west Edmonton during a standoff.

But in the wake of the tragedy, "we had extraordinary public support there," Knecht said.

"The community rallied behind us, supported us. It was actually extremely humbling; just that parade route that day and Edmontonians lining the streets and supporting their police service."

Knecht said the public response has had a lasting effect.

"Every time I go for a cup of coffee I'm approached by two, three, four people in that coffee shop who will come up to me and say, 'Thanks for doing the job you're doing' and 'You guys are doing a great job.' I get that consistently and, I can say, daily."