Sudbury police still grappling with 'non-police work'

Morning North5:33Sudbury Police Services looking for efficiencies

Greater Sudbury's Police Board met looking at a number of issues. The board will be looking for efficiencies for next year's budget. The CBC's Olivia Stefanovich spoke with Police Chief Paul Pederson about what was discussed at the meeting.

The GreaterSudburyPolice Service continues to defend its staffing numbersafter a recent study by the Fraser Institute saidSudburyhas one of the most understaffed police forces in the country.

• Lack of Sudbury police officers cited in report is 'no surprise'
• Policing costs continue to climb despite falling crime: study
• The exploding cost of policing in Canada

The matter was brought up at a police board meeting on Wednesday, where Chief PaulPedersensaid the police service is serving the public adequately.

Pederson told CBC News that Sudbury residents "expectmore from us than just dealing with crimes."

He noted many calls to the service are in relation to Highway Traffic Act,such as speeding and aggressive driving. Thesefall under the jurisdiction of the Provincial Offences Act.

You know, to put it bluntly, I can't imagine us turning to our community and saying we're not going to deal with speeding and red light tickets and stuff like that. Those aren't crimes. They're offences against the Highway Traffic Act, but they aren't captured in a study of crime rates, he said.

The study only included violations of the Criminal Code of Canada.

Pederson noted it was an "academic study that opens up a conversation" with the community about whatit values and what it will cost.

When the FraserInstituereport was released, author andLakeheadUniversity economistLivioDiMatteosaid he hopedthe study starts a conversation about policing costs in Canadian cities.DiMatteosaid he didn't think the report was "an automatic licence to go out and hire."

In a previous CBC News report, police association president RandyBuchowskisaid he'd like to see non-police work, such as dealing with mental health cases,taken from officers plates.

Operation Red Nose expanding

Meanwhile, in the wake of recent drunk driving incidents,Sudburypolice are looking to expand prevention efforts. The service is considering extending RIDE and Operation Red Nose programs to long weekends, and possibly prom season.

Chief PaulPedersentold the police services board he welcomes the idea.

Taking this to long weekends, taking these to other points in time when you can expect that there's a possibility that there may be more drinking and driving than other times of the year, he said.

What better way to promote good behaviour than through volunteerism of Operation Red Nose?

Operation red Nose is a free, confidential service.

Volunteers drive people who have been drinking home, but also make sure that person's car gets home, too.

The service is currently only operating during the holiday season.