The number of London police constables making at least $100,000 a year reached an all-time high in 2016.

In total, 331 London police employees made Ontario’s Sunshine List, up from 259 in 2015.

The 2016 list includes 180 constables — the lowest ranking police officer — compared to 108 a year earlier.

Police say 70 of those constables cracked the 2016 list by picking up paid-duty gigs, work that’s paid by private employers rather than taxpayers.

The annual salary for a first-class constable starts at $92,849 and maxes out at $101,205 based on work experience.

London’s top-earning constable, Ludvik Lovsin, made $144,256 last year.

Former police services board member Paul Paolotta singled out rising police salaries during his departing address at the board Thursday.

“What frustrates me is the Sunshine List of March 2020. It’s going to be a big number. And we as a province, collectively, have to get our hands around that if we’re going to avoid the slings and arrows of the public,” said Paolotta, who as budget chair helped draft a four-year budget for 2016 to 2019.

The list of police employees making at least $100,000 was released Thursday at a police services board meeting.

Police Chief John Pare topped the five-page list. He was paid $229,502 last year and received $9,954 in taxable benefits.

The roll call that includes the positions, gross income and taxable benefits of police staffers who earned more than $100,000 last year must be filed to the province by March 31.

The so-called Sunshine List was introduced by the Mike Harris-led Progressive Conservative government in the mid-1990s. It names all provincial employees and public sector workers, including those at municipalities, hospitals and schools, who make $100,000 or more in pay and benefits. Organizations that depend on public funding are also included.

A report this week to a city council committee shows 390 municipal employees, including 256 firefighters, made the Sunshine List, down from 400 the previous year.

More than 115,000 people in the province made the list in 2015.

Critics argue the $100,000 threshold, set two decades ago, needs to be increased because a growing number of front-line workers are being included as their salaries have gradually increased. The original intent was to shine the light on how much the province’s decision makers earn, they say.

dcarruthers@postmedia.com

twitter.com/DaleatLFPress

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TOP PAID POLICE OFFICERS

1. Chief John Pare: $229,502

2. Deputy chief Stephen Williams: 193,693

3. Deputy chief Daryl Longworth: $192,440

4. Supt. William Merrylees: $169,640

5. Supt. Bradley Carrothers: $169,640

6. Supt. William Chantler: $169,640

7. Supt. Christopher Newton: $166,797

8. Insp. Thomas Allen $154,696

9. Insp. Lynn Sutherland: $151,545

10. Insp. Kelly O’Callaghan: $150,963