The Waterloo Regional Police Service Board approved police’s operating and capital budgets Wednesday, with the inclusion of 28 new sworn officers.

The force asked for 20 more front-line officers as part of the budget, breaking down into 13 patrol officers, six investigative services officers, a public peace officer and an organizational culture officer. The two latter staff will be hired halfway through the year, equalling one full-time staff member.

The 13 patrol officers include nine members as part of a newly approved, consultant-recommended 73 patrol hires by 2030.

Police also included eight more hires in the budget: a road safety team of six more officers and adding two court security officers as mandated by the province.

The staff expansion makes up $4.6 million of the $272.6-mil

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