In recent weeks, Cobourg residents have heard extensive discussion regarding the Cobourg Police
Service’s proposed budget. While constructive dialogue is healthy, it is unfortunate that much of the
public conversation has been overshadowed by political friction, particularly from the mayor’s
office, rather than grounded in the realities of community safety. As President of the Cobourg Police
Association, I believe residents deserve a clear explanation of why the budget put forward by Chief
Paul VandeGraaf is not only reasonable, but essential to the safety and wellbeing of our community.
The 2026 Budget is fundamentally about ensuring that Cobourg has the resources required to
address modern policing challenges; challenges that bear little resemblance to those of 10, 20, or
30 years ago. Chief VandeGraaf illustrated this effectively in a recent video. Three decades ago, a
fraud investigation might have involved a small number of paper documents, a few witness
statements, and a single suspect. Today, that same investigation may involve dozens of digital
platforms, encrypted communication channels, international financial transfers, cyber-forensic
analysis, and weeks or months of highly technical investigative work. What was once a
straightforward file has become a complex, multi-layered investigation requiring specialized
training, advanced technology, and significantly more personnel hours.
This example reflects a broader truth: policing has changed dramatically, and the demands placed
on frontline personnel have grown in both volume and complexity. Cobourg residents experience
crime differently than they once did, and our members experience policing differently as well. While
call volumes have increased, it is the nature of those calls that most significantly affects workload
and resource needs.
• Mental health-related incidents now represent a substantial portion of frontline duties.
These calls are time-intensive, emotionally taxing, often require multiple officers, crisisintervention expertise, and collaboration with community partners.
• Violent incidents and weapons-related calls have risen across Ontario, and Cobourg is not
insulated from these provincial trends.
• Digital and cyber-enabled crimes, including financial fraud, online exploitation, and
identity-based offences, are far more prevalent and far more complex. These investigations
demand specialized tools, training, and extensive evidence analysis.
• Court disclosure obligations have expanded significantly. Preparing digital evidence
packages that meet stringent legal and procedural requirements demands considerable time
and precision.
Every hour spent meeting these obligations is an hour of real, necessary work that must be
accounted for in staffing levels and budget planning. The demands on our service have grown
exponentially, yet community expectations for rapid response, thorough investigations, and
meaningful engagement remain as important as ever.
The Chief’s proposed budget is grounded in operational realities, legislative requirements, and best
practices. It is not a political document. It is an essential plan to ensure that our police service can
fulfill its mandate safely, effectively, and responsibly. Suggesting otherwise misrepresents the
complexity of modern policing and undermines the integrity of both the Service’s leadership and its
frontline members.
The mayor’s continued public opposition risks oversimplifying a multifaceted issue and
misinforming the community about what is at stake. Public safety budgets should never be used as
political leverage. When critical operational needs are framed as optional or discretionary, it erodes
public trust and compromises the police service’s ability to meet the needs of the community.
There is also a persistent misconception that reducing the police budget generates savings. In
reality, chronic underfunding results in significant long-term costs, including:
• Slower response times.
• Increased pressure on community partnerships and proactive policing efforts.
• Heightened officer burnout and turnover.
• Reduced investigative capacity and diminished service quality.
Communities do not thrive when their police service is stretched beyond its limits, and Cobourg is
no exception. Public safety is a core responsibility of municipal leadership and the police services
board. It is not an area where corners can be cut without real-world consequences.
Chief VandeGraaf has presented a realistic and responsible budget that reflects both the
complexities of contemporary policing and the needs of Cobourg residents. The Cobourg Police
Association fully supports this plan because we see firsthand the pressures our members face each
day. We also understand the risks to officer wellness, investigative integrity, and ultimately public
safety when adequate resources are not provided.
Cobourg deserves a principled, informed discussion about policing, not political posturing. The
safety of our residents is not a talking point. It requires sustained, thoughtful investment in our
community and in the people who protect it.
Public safety is not negotiable. It is the foundation of Cobourg’s wellbeing, growth, and quality of life.
Our members remain deeply committed to this community, and we ask that municipal leaders
demonstrate the same commitment by supporting the resources required to keep Cobourg safe.
Rich Ferguson
President
Cobourg Police Association
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
