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Service fees charged by the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service are set to increase for the first time since 2011, following the approval of a proposal initially introduced last month. The fee hikes aim to offset rising labor costs.
In alignment with an annual inflation rate of approximately 2 per cent, the police board approved an average fee increase of about 25 per cent.infor
Rather than comparing fees with other police services, which Insp. Bill Freeman described as “all over the map,” the board focused on internal factors to determine the adjustments.
Motor vehicle collision reports will increase from $45 to $57, while occurrence reports will rise from $50 to $63.
Statements and officer notes, previously priced at $45 each, will now cost $57 individually or $82 when bundled, up from $65. If only one record is available, no refund will be issued.
Court subpoenas, which were previously $50 plus $0.20 per page, will now cost $63. Obtaining a copy of audio or video recordings will cost $50 plus $15 for every 15 minutes of footage, up from a flat rate of $50.
Volunteer vulnerable sector checks, now available both online and via walk-in, will double in cost from $15 to $30.
The police board has also introduced fees for three new services.
Body-worn camera and in-car camera footage will cost $150 per camera plus $60 for redactions, which involve removing sensitive information. Requests for information under the Municipal Freedom of Information (FOI) will incur a $15 fee for every 15 minutes of staff time.
“When the DEMS (digital evidence management) unit is tasked with FOI requests for extra body worn camera footage through those request avenues, now they’re not doing the job that they’re supposed to be doing,” said Freedman, justifying the new fee structure.
As of Jan. 25, 2025, Broad Record Checks will be available for $100. According to a media release, these checks will provide “much more information to review and potentially follow up with officers.”
Police services will also begin offering reconsiderations for record checks at a fee of $30.
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