Winnipeg Police Service will cut 15 officer positions, after learning how much provincial funding will fall short of the service’s budget expectations.

The province provided the same funding level to the city in 2017 as they did the previous year. But police say that flat rate left them with about $1.2 million less than expected for this year, in part due to rising police helicopter and cadets costs the province previously used to cover. WPS also received about $600,000 less in provincial cadet payments for 2016.

“We’re trying to adapt our budget to the new realities of the basket funding that we’re receiving from the province,” said WPS Chief Danny Smyth.

Smyth said this will not result in layoffs, since affected officers will be transferred to fill other police vacancies. Police have also cancelled a fall recruit class, though that’s in part due to fewer officers quitting and retiring, and expect to hire fewer cadets.

The chief said he doesn’t expect public safety to suffer much as a result.

“I don’t think there’ll be a tremendous impact on public safety. We still have capacity on organized crime,” said Smyth. “We intend to fold these positions into vacancies that we have in general patrol.”

Smyth said the service focused on finding savings through streamlining operations that officers outside specialized units can still provide. Winnipeg’s Air1 police helicopter, which has seen its cost questioned by the province, didn’t fit that bill.

“I think that one warrants a review. But let’s be clear, the tactical and operational advantage for a helicopter, if we do away with that, we’re not getting it back,” said Smyth. “It’s not like we have another unit that can actually function in that area.”

Smyth said inflationary cost increases will now force the WPS to find efficiencies every year to cope with static provincial funds. He doesn’t expect more cuts this year.

The union representing police officers declined comment on the specialized units set for removal, stating it’s still reviewing the change. But Winnipeg Police Association’s president fears flat provincial funds will force Winnipeggers to wait longer for police service.

“I think it’s going to result in higher wait times. The number of calls waiting in the queue is going to skyrocket,” said Moe Sabourin.

NDP Justice Critic Andrew Swan said it’s also a concern that the cadets program will be affected, which had aimed to allow police to spend more time on the most difficult cases.

“There are some terrible decisions that are being foisted on the city, no question,” said Swan.

An interview request to speak with Manitoba’s Municipal Relations Minister Eileen Clarke was not granted Tuesday. Her office re-sent a May statement to the Winnipeg Sun, which noted the province’s total funding for Winnipeg public safety will remain at $24 million and the city will now have “more choice” on how to spend it.

jpursaga@postmedia.com

Twitter: @pursagawpgsun

By the numbers

A breakdown of Winnipeg police changes linked to static provincial funding:

Positions the province will fund (after 15 positions are cut): 166 police officers, 12 civilian police staff, 75 cadets

Full police complement (after the reduction): 1403

Current provincial public safety grant for Winnipeg: $24 million

How three police units will change (with staff transferring to fill other vacancies):

- Integrated organized crime task force suspended: 6 positions cut

- Integrated warrant task force suspended: 3 positions cut

- Central processing unit: 6 positions reduced (unit remains)