Niagara Regional Police will spend nearly $6.8 million next year on capital costs, while deferring the purchase of body-worn cameras for officers despite public support for their use.

Police services board members approved the service’s 2026 capital budget Thursday. The force primarily needs to replace existing assets, as well as purchase equipment for strategic initiatives, Chief Bill Fordy said.

He said 38 projects were initially identified to include in the budget at a cost of $12.1 million, but the list was weened down to 16 projects at a cost of $7.7 million.

Fordy said a community engagement survey conducted earlier this year showed an “overwhelmingly favourable” response to the use of the cameras to promote trust and officer safety.

Too steep? Niagara police board turns down 13.

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