Ottawa police budget proposes 5% increase in funding, hiring 25 new officers

Ottawa Police sign outside headquarters on Elgin St. in Ottawa. (CTV News Ottawa)

Ottawa taxpayers will be asked to pay an extra $36 for police service in 2026, to help the Ottawa Police Service hire 25 new officers, introduce a new district system for police response and cover salary increases.

The Ottawa Police Service tabled its $484 million 2026 draft budget Wednesday morning, with a $26 million increase in funding compared to 2025. 

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The new funding comes from a five per cent increase in the police levy on the City of Ottawa property tax bill, $5.7 million in new assessment growth from new homes and $2.1 million for payments in lieu of taxes funding.

“The Ottawa Police Service Board heard feedback from residents, and requested a budget based on exactly that,” Chair Salim Fakirani said in a statement. “The 2026 Draft Budget responds directly to community priorities – visible and proactive policing, equitable service delivery, and financial responsibility. We welcome comments from the public on the Draft Budget and have planned an upcoming Finance and Audit Committee to receive delegations."

In addition to the 25 new officers, the budget includes body-worn cameras for officers and a new professional development centre.

Deputy Chief Steve Bell told the Ottawa Police Service’s Board the 25 new officers are part of the staff stabilization and growth plan, focusing on frontline and district officers and special constables.

Police say the highlights of the budget includes modernizing service delivery through its new “District Policing Model”, with new district boundaries for police response introduced next year.

As part of the budget, the Ottawa Police Service will be increasing the fees for police record checks and motor vehicle collision reports.

The police record check for vulnerable sector employment will increase $2 to $74, while the cost of a police records check for adoption will increase $4 to $122.

The cost of a motor vehicle collision report under the freedom of information request will increase from $214.98 to $222.50.

As part of the budget, the Ottawa Police Service will find $4.3 million in efficiencies in its 2026 budget.

The budget proposes decreasing the regular overtime budget from $18.5 million in 2024 to $16.2 million in 2026.

The Ottawa Police Service’s Board and council will approve the budget in December.