Board decides to freeze Toronto police budget in 2013

The Toronto Police Services Board has voted in favour of freezing the police budget in 2013, though board members say the decision will not lead to layoffs.

The board’s expectation is that the savings will instead be achieved by scrapping new hires and promotions and through finding other savings within the force.

The board voted in favour of the freeze during a special meeting on Monday evening.

"This board is able to achieve a zero increase in terms of the 2013 budget and no layoffs with respect to police officers," Coun. Michael Thompson, the vice-chair of the board, said on Monday evening. But the plan also includes $6.7 million in cuts that are not yet allocated, which Chief Bill Blair will have to find.

Prior to the Monday evening meeting, the police chief said that if the freeze were to go ahead, it would mean layoffs.

After the meeting, Blair said he would proceed as instructed by the board.

"When the board and the city make a decision, my responsibility is then to go and implement that decision and do the best to keep my city safe with the resources that are available to me and that's what I'll do," he said.