No easy fix: Calgary Police Service faces $28M shortfall in wake of photo radar purge

Calgary's top cop says there are no easy fixes as the police service faces a $28-million shortfall. The chief says there are tough decisions ahead.

The Calgary Police Service is facing a $28-million shortfall in its operating budget.

Calgary’s top cop says the province is not doing the police service any favours by purging photo radar.

There’s no easy fix, Chief Mark Neufeld said on Friday.

According to Neufeld, not only are there tough decisions ahead, but the news is creating a lot of angst.

He says 85 per cent of the police budget is staffing and members were notified of the situation on Thursday.

The force is running lean as it is, the chief says.

To deal with the shortfall, CPS is looking at rolling back overtime, employee training and development.

It’s also looking at a civilian hiring freeze.

It’s also holding back funding that would have put 28 new officers on the street at the start of this year.

Late last year, the UCP government severely slashed photo radar, saying it has been used mainly as a cash grab.

But Neufeld argues it’s a tool to reduce collisions and improve safety.

In 2024, Calgary had a record 29 fatal crashes and 13 deadly pedestrian crashes, when on average the city sees about four each year.

“Some of the things we see the public concerned about, it’s the big ones, it’s distracted driving, it’s speed, but I would still say if you get out on Stoney Trail and Deerfoot—the major arteries—those are the two roads with the most collisions in the city,” Neufeld said.

“I still see some pretty shocking things there.”

CTV Calgary reached out to the Alberta transportation minister’s office in light of the chief’s comments but has yet to hear back.

The chief says he has brought the shortfall concerns to the police commission, city council and the province.