Chief Says Five New Officers Won't Break Police Budget

Some people, including Common Councillor Bruce Court, are wondering how the Saint John Police Department can afford to hire the 5 new officers sworn in this week.

The city force has been asked by Common Council to hold its budget increases to 1 per cent this year and next.

Chief Bill Reid says the spending for the new recruits is already built in.

Reid says they have be aware of the budget constraints bu, they will be doing more hiring as older officers retire.