Calgary police chief warns of 'major impacts' on public safety if budget ask fails

Calgary's police chief is asking for a sizable jump in the service's budget over the next four years, pointing out that failing to receive it would put Calgarians at risk and reduce the effectiveness of front-line officers.

Chief Const. Katie McLellan is hoping to hire an additional 309 officers over the next four years on top of the current number of 2,304 personnel and an additional 214 civilian employees by 2030.

The proposed annual operating budget would grow from $684.5 million in 2026 to $816.7 million by 2030 — an increase of 19 per cent.

McLellan is also looking for a $191.9 million in capital spending over the four-year period, a 73 per cent increase compared with the previous budget.

"If we could ask for more of a budget increase we would, but we've taken a responsible, disciplined approach to ensure we can actually deliver on our ask," McLellan told a Thursday news conference.

"We moved forward with only the highest priority positions and line items that would impact public safety."

The chief said Calgary is already falling behind as it deals with population growth, an increase in shootings, fatal collisions and more mental health and addiction calls.

"These are not issues we will arrest our way out of," she said.

McLellan said the increased workload means fewer officers available for low-priority in-person incidents, less community policing and engagement.

"I don't want to paint a bleak picture but if this budget proposal is not fully funded there will be major impacts to Calgarians' safety and perception of safety," she said.

"Officer response will be limited further than it currently is, which will worsen public safety outcomes.”

She earlier said the job takes a toll on front line officers. About 13 per cent of officers have been reassigned to different duties within the service while six per cent are not at work at all for reasons including medical leave.

Calgary city council will discuss the budget in coming weeks. McLellan said the numbers she is asking for would ideally be much higher.

"We probably actually need double the number of police officers we're asking for, and it's going to take the service and the city probably two budget cycles to get to where we actually need to be." 

This report by The Canadian Press was first published October 29, 2026.

By Bill Graveland | Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.