StatsCan reports most police per capita since 1993

The "police personnel and expenditures" report states the country's police forces employed 64,134 officers on May 15 of this year, a 2.7 per cent increase from 2006.

Ontario and British Columbia alone accounted for nearly two-thirds of the total increase of about 1,700 male and female officers.

In total, Canada had 195 officers per 100,000 population.

Police forces employed 11,853 female police officers this year, which resulted in a six per cent increase from 2006 numbers. The number of male officers rose two per cent.

The total increase represented the second largest annual rise over the past 30 years.

Canada's police rate peaked in 1975 with 206 officers per 100,000 population, but steadily declined over the past 20 years.

The country's police strength was far below that of other industrialized nations such as the United States, England, Wales and Australia. Those countries reported police numbers between 222 to 270 officers per 100,000 population.

Since 1997, all provinces have recorded increases with the largest gains reported for Newfoundland and Labrador and Saskatchewan.

Saskatchewan reported the highest increases in 2007 with 207 officers per 100,000 population, followed by Manitoba and Quebec.

Prince Edward Island, Alberta and Newfoundland and Labrador reported the lowest numbers in 2007 with all three provinces reporting fewer than 166 officers per 100,000 population.

Thunder Bay, Ont.; Winnipeg; St. John, N.B.; and Montreal had the highest numbers for census metropolitan areas. Among the lowest were Saguenay, Que.; Kingston, Ont.; and Gatineau, Que.

Over the past 30 years, Canadian police have consistently cleared roughly one in every three cases.

"Police strength, the volume and type of crimes and the complexity of police investigations are among the many factors that may affect clearance rates, defined as the proportion of all crimes solved by police," the report stated.

Overall, police cleared 36 per cent of cases last year.

StatsCan found police solved violent crimes at a significantly higher rate. In 2006, police solved 72 per cent of all violent crimes reported in Canada, up from 69 per cent in 2004.

In 2006, police spending totalled $10 billion.

Comments are now closed for this story

Jack
said

Why is it that the government will not listen to us. I feel it is useless to speakup, as we are never heard!.Enforce the laws of the country! Legalise as many drugs as you can, put it under government controll, take away the main source of income for organised crime, and watch things change! HELLO! are you listening!

Kim
said

If the police were not having to arrest the same people over and over again we would not need as many.

I agree with Gerald, apply the laws and sentences on the books now and you will see the problem shrink.

Gerald Skowronski
said

It's a brave new world and the new world order is changing as we speak. To maintain hope for a safe life in this country of ours the answer is simple. JUST APPLY THE LAWS. No early release. No time off for good behaviour. No pool tables, no games room, no television, no amenities. They are called prison for a reason. More police? Sure. But apply the laws fully and forcefully. Support the efforts of the police.

Gerry
said

Where are they?
I see dozens of traffic violations such as speeding, sloppy or aggressive driving in a week and almost never is there a cop in sight!

Moe
said

That's good news! But we sure need more here in Alberta. With the soaring economy and increase in population, there is too much money and therefore too much drugs that is increasing crime here more than in any province. There will be much hiring for a few years yet. Less overtime and more rested policemen makes for better service to the taxpayers.