Halton police 16 officers short as force seeks 38 more for 2027

Halton Regional Police Service, which polices Burlington and the rest of Halton Region, ended September with 888 sworn officers. That is 16 short of the 904 it is already authorized to have, as the force asks for 38 more officers next year.

The count is up from 872 at the end of 2025, Chief Stephen J. Tanner told the Halton Police Board, the civilian body that oversees the force, in a report dated Thursday, Oct. 29. The shortage sits at the front line: the service has 711 constables, the rank that answers calls and patrols, against 730 authorized positions.

Thirty sworn members had been on WSIB, the Ontario insurance program for workers hurt on the job, for more than a year. Eight had been on long-term disability for over a year, up from six at the end of 2025.

The gap is wider among civilian staff, who fill support roles. Across the whole service, the shortfall is 42.5 positions, including eight in the communications unit, which has 52 staff against 60 authorized.

The proposed 2027 operating budget would add 38 officers and 17 civilian professionals, with $5.7 million set aside for the new jobs. That comes on top of $11.7 million for pay and benefits for existing staff.