[URBAN NOTE] "Change Ontario laws to cut Toronto’s costs for traffic directing: report"

[rfmcdonald]

The Globe and Mail hosts this Canadian Press report. I'm all for it: the police have too much power as is. Watch as their union reacts badly, I predict.

A new report says Ontario laws should be changed so that police officers aren’t the only ones allowed to direct traffic – a move it says could save Toronto taxpayers a bundle.

Under current provincial rules, only police officers are authorized to direct traffic and close highways, which often means hiring off-duty officers to supervise construction sites and street festivals.

Toronto officers working so-called paid duty earned $25,540,792 last year, with the force bringing in an additional $1,419,049 for equipment costs and $3,842,790 in administration fees.

The report, prepared by city staff, says it would cost less to hire special constables, peace officers and other trained officials to perform the same duties.