Calgary has a ratio of only 147 police officers for every 100,000 residents.

A significant disparity between the number of police officers per 100,000 residents in Calgary and the national average, as well as other major Canadian cities such as Montreal, Vancouver, Edmonton, and Toronto. This disparity raises concerns about public safety and the ability of the Calgary Police Service to effectively serve and protect the community.
By comparison:
• Montreal: 221
• Vancouver: 184
• Edmonton: 178
• Toronto: 167
The current situation indicates that Calgary's police force is understaffed, which could be contributing to slower response times and potentially impacting the morale of officers. Moreover, the fact that other cities are actively recruiting from Calgary suggests that there may be issues with retaining officers as well, possibly due to better compensation or working conditions elsewhere.

The proposed solution by the candidate for mayor includes several key components:

1. A budget strategy to increase funding for the police service to align with the national average, indicating a commitment to investing in public safety.
2. Development of realistic and effective recruitment and retention plans to attract and retain qualified officers.
3. A focus on restoring morale within the police service, which could involve addressing workplace issues, improving support for officers, and enhancing their ability to effectively serve the community.
4. Rebuilding trust between the police service and the public, which might involve community engagement initiatives and transparency in policing practices.

By implementing these strategies, the candidate aims to ensure that residents of Calgary can rely on a police service that is adequately staffed and capable of responding to their needs in a timely manner. The full plan outlines further details on how these objectives would be achieved, emphasizing the importance of a comprehensive approach to enhancing public safety.