Police personnel and expenditures in Canada

Per capita police strength in Canada increased for the fourth consecutive year in 2002, up 1%. The rate of police per 100,000 population has risen 3% since 1998, following an 11% decline between 1991 and 1998. At 186 officers per 100,000 population, Canada has about 25% fewer police per capita than the United States and England and Wales.

As of June 15, there were 58,414 police officers in Canada, an increase of 1,338 officers. Most of this increase resulted from gains in Quebec (+501) and Ontario (+452). New Brunswick was the only province to show a decline in 2002, with 11 fewer officers.

Among the provinces, Saskatchewan, Quebec and Manitoba reported the most officers per capita; Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island and Alberta reported the fewest.

Thunder Bay continued to have the most officers per 100,000 population (204) among the 25 largest metropolitan areas, followed by Regina (192) and Hamilton (184). The three lowest rates were found in Quebec: Sherbrooke (109), Québec (122) and Saguenay (123). These metropolitan areas generally include more than one police force.

The proportion of female police officers continues to grow. There were almost 9,000 female officers in 2002, up 8% from 2001. In comparison, the number of male officers increased 1%. Females now account for 15% of all police officers. British Columbia continues to have the highest proportion of female officers (19%), and the Atlantic provinces have the lowest, ranging from 10-12% of all officers.

Policing costs totalled $7.3 billion in 2001, equal to $234 per Canadian. This represents an increase of 4% in constant dollars over 2000 after adjusting for inflation, the fifth consecutive annual increase.

Available on CANSIM: table 254-0002 and table 254-0003.

Information on methods and data quality available in the Integrated Meta Data Base: survey number 3301.

The report Police resources in Canada, 2002 (85-225-XIE, $26) is now available.

For more information, or to enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact Client Services (613-951-9023: 1-800-387-2231), Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics.