Chatham-Kent police are facing a bigger bill for court security.
The police services board was told on Tuesday that increased prisoner transport, video appearances, and court sessions running later into the day are leading to more overtime for the unit of 13 officers and one clerk providing screening at the entrance and trying to keep everyone safe at the two courthouses in the Chatham area.
Police court overtime costs jumped by almost $10,000 last year compared to 2018, going from $33,000 to nearly $43,000 for the year.
A 2019 year-end report showed there is a continuing trend that has developed over the last couple of years, which has led to courts running late several times a week to address matters and not have them carried over.
"Late court results in a delay with prisoner transport and staff incurring overtime," wrote the report's author, Inspector Mike Domony. "Unfortunately, overtime is still a challenge and will be moving forward."
Board members were told the schedules have been adjusted to address some of the overtime cost but more needs to be done in 2020. They were also told the court security unit is short two officers compared to 2017.
"We have seen a number of challenges which included a noticeable increase in the number of prisoners and audio/video remands," read the report. "There was a seven per cent increase in prisoners from 2018 and audio/video remands have increased by 35 per cent."
Chatham-Kent officers assigned to the courthouses were responsible for processing, monitoring, and accommodating 2,238 prisoners last year. That's an increase of 151 from the 2,087 the previous year and a huge increase of 318 from the 1,920 prisoners in 2016. Audio and video bail hearings also increased by 619 from 1,767 in 2018 to 2,386 last year.
"This increase presented different challenges, which were met with successful outcomes," the report says.
The report also showed 1,920 prisoners processed in court in 2016, the lowest number over the past four years, but the highest overtime cost during that same period at just over $46,000.
In 2019, Chatham-Kent police billed the Ministry of the Attorney General for the cost of escorting 47 prisoners across the province for various reasons and recovered nearly $16,000.
Court officers also collected 271 DNA samples and 268 fingerprints from prisoners in 2019.
Inspector Mike Donomy said efforts continue to improve security at the courthouse on Grand Avenue. Surveillance cameras were upgraded both inside and outside of the courthouse. Two carbine rifles were also added in case of an emergency. The courthouse on Communications Road had all of its security improvements done in 2018.
