The Edmonton Police Service Homicide Unit came forward with a plea Monday, saying the unit can't handle the workload – cases are going unsolved – and it needs more funding.
Edmonton's homicide detectives spoke to the media Monday, and said they have been forced to put dozens of cases aside simply because they don't have enough resources.
Detectives said the unit has 108 unsolved cases from the past decade, and work still needs to be done on 60 of them.
"I'm carrying sixteen unsolved homicides," Homicide Detective Brian Robertson said.
"I worked 150 hours of overtime."
Robertson said he feels Edmonton could start to see more homicides occur each year, and handling the current workload is pushing many members dangerously close to burning out.
"The reality is, I don't think we're a 25 or 26 homicide-a-year city any longer," Robertson said.
"I don't think personally or professionally the people in the office are in a position to sustain this for very long."
The plea comes as the city deliberates a difficult budget, and councillors have said there isn't enough money to go around.
"Everybody needs more money," Mayor Stephen Mandel said Monday. "[Have you] heard anybody come here and not ask for more money?
"We'll deal with police when they come forward with their operating budget."
Police Chief Rod Knecht will present his request Tuesday – and will ask for a 4 per cent, or $9 million dollar increase in funding.
The increase would help EPS create 68 positions, and beef up their violence reduction strategy.
With files from Jessica Earle
