In light of the increase in crime levels in this country, it is not surprising that a number of witnesses expressed the view that traditional policing methods work imperfectly. And the point was made that increases in police resources, both human and financial, can not keep up with increases in crime rates. A recent Statistics Canada report reveals that the number of police officers in Canada has doubled since the 1960's, while Criminal Code offences reported to the police were five times greater. Total operating expenditures for police services, which account for the largest proportion of justice expenditures, were $5.3 billion in 1991. Lorrain Audy, President of the Quebec Association of Police and Fire Chiefs and Director of the Hull Police Force, expressed his view of increased police workloads and limited resources: We have hit a plateau. Public security costs can't keep on increasing. The crime rate won't decrease if we increase the number of police officers. (78:9)

Excerpt from the Twelfth Report of the Standing Committee on Justice and the Solicitor General, Dr. Bob Horner, M.P. Chairman. February 1993 page 18.