Hamilton’s police services board has finally approved the force’s 2013 budget.

The vote passed 4-2, with councillors Terry Whitehead and Bernie Morelli opposed to the 3.52 per cent increase. The police budget for this year is just over $140 million. The increase is in line with what council was after, but there’s also a commitment to hire 15 new officers and one civilian employee.

Councillor Whitehead hinted that chief Glenn De Caire’s future could be in doubt.

“I think if you asked the chief if he could deliver a safe budget without hiring 15 people that he would say he could do it, if he couldn’t then we need to get a new chief. The reality is that we have the manpower, we have well skilled officers on the front lines, and if you allocate them appropriately at the areas you feel are of concern then I think you can address those issues.”

Chief De Caire calls the budget’s approval a victory.

“Any time we engage in dialogue in the public about public safety and the critical issues that confront our city, that is a success and this budget is providing us the ability to provide excellence in service to the entire community. So this is a success.”

Hiring new officers will cost the city of Hamilton more than $1 million a year. There’s a movement from some councillors to take control of the police budget back from the police services board.