WRPS Board begins budget process with public input
Posted Sep 17, 2025 03:16:58 PM.
Last Updated Sep 17, 2025 03:17:02 PM.
As the region begins plans for next year’s budget, work is also starting on one of the biggest line items: police.
The Waterloo Regional Police Services Board announced a pair of public input sessions that will give residents the chance to lay out their policing priorities for 2026.
Public input has become a critical component in developing the police budget. WRPS Chief Mark Crowell said it’s something the board takes very seriously.
“It’s crucial for us to hear from the public that we serve, from the citizens from all walks of life, from across the Region of Waterloo. It helps the board and for us as an organization to understand the pressures, stresses, priorities, and we want to hear as much as possible.”
Crowell added that police try to be engaged with the public through all their work. He said the reality is, budget preparations are always in the back of their minds.
“I’m fond of saying the budget season is everlasting; it never really ends. And so, we have so many metrics that we rely upon. You see us often reporting on crime-related data, community partnerships, and we try to listen as much as we can.”
The public information sessions will both be held virtually.
- Monday, September 29, 2025, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
- Monday, October 27, 2025, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Delegates must register ahead of time. Sign-up will be first come, first serve and delegates will be given five minutes to speak before taking questions.
Written submissions can be emailed to board@wrps.on.ca.
Please limit your submission to 2,000 characters or less.
