Cobourg Police Association President Rich Ferguson is speaking up about the Cobourg Police Service’s budget, saying it’s an investment in public safety – not just a line item.
In a lengthy statement, Ferguson defends the budget – which as previously reported, represents a 20.5 per cent increase for 2026 – and takes aim at “the mayor’s office.”
Ferguson details how in recent weeks residents have heard extensive discussion around the 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,” reads the statement.
As president, Ferguson goes on to state: “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.”
Ferguson echoes previous messages from VandeGraaf, saying the budget is fundamentally about ensuring Cobourg has the resources needed to address modern policing challenges – challenges that bear little resemblance to those from a decade or three decades ago, while touching on how the chief also “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,” reiterated Ferguson. “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.”
Ferguson stresses this example reflects a broader truth – that policing has changed dramatically. What’s more, the president said the demands on front-line personnel have only grown in 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 affect workload and resource needs,” continued Ferguson, who went on to detail several instances of changes front-line personnel are grappling with today.
Mental health-related incidents now represent “a substantial portion of front-line duties.”
Ferguson described these calls as time-intensive, emotionally taxing and noted they often task multiple officers, requiring crisis-intervention 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.”
Meanwhile, Ferguson also highlighted digital and cyber-enabled crimes – financial fraud, online exploitation and identity-based offences – as “far more prevalent and far more complex.”
“These investigations demand specialized tools, training and extensive evidence analysis.”
Another area of significant expansion is court disclosure obligations – this means preparation of digital evidence packages that meet stringent legal and procedural requirements, which demands considerable time and precision, added Ferguson.
“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.”
Ferguson goes on to describe the chief’s proposed budget as 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 front-line members.”
Ferguson goes on to accuse Mayor Lucas Cleveland of “continued public opposition,” and argues this risks oversimplifying a multifaceted issue and misinforming the community about what is at stake.
When critical operational needs are framed as optional or discretionary, it erodes public trust and compromises the service’s ability to meet the needs of the community, wrote Ferguson.
The president then goes on to take aim at what was described as a persistent misconception around reducing the police budget and how this generates savings.
Chronic underfunding results in significant long-term costs like slower response times, increased pressure on community partnerships and proactive policing efforts, heightened officer burnout and turnover, reduced investigative capacity, and diminished service quality, continued Ferguson.
“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.”
Ferguson goes on to back VandeGraaf as presenting as a realistic and responsible budget, which reflects the complexities of contemporary policing and the needs of residents and details the association’s full support of the current plan, while also citing seeing the firsthand pressures members are facing daily.
“We also understand the risks to officer wellness, investigative integrity, and ultimately, public safety when adequate resources are not provided …”
Ferguson said public safety isn’t negotiable and described it as 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.”
