Police seek approval on new vehicles ahead of budget

By Chris Jones/The Oshawa Express

Durham police are looking for pre-budget approval to add 36 new vehicles to its fleet in 2020.

At its most recent meeting, the Durham Police Services Board requested the vehicles be included in next year’s budget which meets the region’s guidelines.

The request is made every year around this time to ensure the order for the vehicles is placed with the manufacturer so they are built within the first two quarters of the budget year.

According to the board, if the approval is delayed, it could result in DRPS not receiving the vehicles in the first half of 2020, which in turn will result in higher fleet maintenance costs and extensive repairs.

The total cost for the vehicles will not exceed $1.612 million, according to a report given to the region’s finance and administration committee.

The amount is more than 2018’s $1.54 million request, although DRPS had asked for 45 vehicles that year.

The funds will go towards two marked vans ($64,000), 22 marked patrol vehicles ($1,118,792), one marked patrol motorcycle ($38,000), one unmarked truck ($75,000), and 10 unmarked vehicles ($316,400).

While the request was carried by the finance and administration committee, it still requires regional council’s approval.