Calgary Police Service Training Facility & Community Safety Investment Framework
As Mayor, I am calling on my Council colleagues to stand with me and Councillor Walcott, who has tabled a smart amendment, to ensure the Calgary Police Service’s new training facility gets the green light. This isn’t just another budget line item—it’s a critical investment in the safety and future of our city.
Every day, our police officers are on the front lines, facing situations that require split-second decisions and expert training. They put their lives on the line to protect us. The least we can do is provide them with the tools and facilities they need to stay prepared and safe while serving our community.
This isn’t just a shooting range—it’s a lifeline for our officers and, by extension, for Calgarians. Modern policing has changed. The threats are more complex, the challenges more unpredictable. We can’t afford to send officers into the field without the best training possible.
But right now, we’re falling short. The existing facilities can’t meet the needs of our growing city or the demands of modern training. Delaying this investment is a disservice not only to our police service but also to every family, business, and individual who relies on them to keep our streets safe.
Some have suggested using Community Safety Investment Framework (CSIF) funding for this project. CSIF monies were designed to provide alternative responses to crisis situations—areas where social services and community groups step in to address challenges. These funds are meant to prevent crises, not train officers to respond to them. Using CSIF funding for this facility would undermine those vital outreach programs and partnerships that are already making a difference in our city.
Instead, we’ve proposed a responsible solution with an investment from the Fiscal Stability Reserve. Through a $9.5 million investment from the Fiscal Stability Reserve towards the CPS training facility, City Council can ensure that Calgarians’ public safety is preserved through well-trained officers. And by freeing up CPS from managing the administration of the Community Safety Investment Framework, police service members can focus on their key responsibility of enforcement and creating a safer city.
If the recent water crisis taught us anything, it’s this: waiting to invest in critical infrastructure only creates bigger problems down the road. We can’t afford to kick the can to the next government. Decisions like this define whether Calgary remains safe, prepared, and resilient.
Let’s do the right thing—together. Thank you Councillor Walcott for bringing this solution forward.