Just how much is being spent on police services?

By Jim Porthouse

March 30th, 2026

BURLINGTON, ON

The high cost of municipal policing—averaging $200,000 annually per officer when accounting for salary, oversight, and equipment—has sparked a debate over resource allocation in commercial hubs. Large retail centers, such as the Burlington Centre, often face a “double taxation” dilemma: they contribute significantly to the police budget through property taxes while simultaneously funding private security to manage on-site safety.

Is the Burlington Centre getting value for money based on the taxes they pay? Doesn’t look that way.

The Financial Breakdown

Using the 2025 tax data for a major shopping center like Burlington Centre as a case study:

The 13.66 % is of the 4.75 million paid in taxes

Since these tax costs are bundled into commercial rent and eventually passed down to consumers through retail pricing, the public effectively pays twice—once for a public police force that is often absent from the premises, and again for the private guards required to deter theft.

A Shift in Priorities

There is a growing argument that police departments have drifted away from “back-to-basics” community presence. Despite Burlington being a generally safe area, the current model prioritizes administrative tasks, highly specialized officers, or high-level interventions over visible foot patrols.

 Key Considerations:

• The Rebate Question: Should businesses that provide their own security be entitled to a tax credit for the police services they aren’t receiving?
• Visibility vs. Volume: The issue may not be a lack of police personnel, but rather their placement. Reallocating existing officers to high-traffic areas like malls could address rising concerns over vehicle and jewelry thefts more effectively than the current reactive model.

The goal is a more equitable system where the police are active participants in community safety, ensuring that tax dollars translate into a tangible, visible presence where it is needed most.