Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS) has set a ambitious $1.1 billion capital outlay police plan which, in part, calls for the major renewal of the Oshawa division.
It is part of the 10-year DRPS Servicing and and Financing Strategy 2026-2036, which is listed on today’s DRPS Board meeting agenda.
The DRPS plan calls for expansion as it says several existing police facilities are:
- Operating beyond their intended capacity,
- Are at the end of their useful life, or
- Lack the infrastructure required to support modern policing operations, training, secure evidence management, and technology-enabled service delivery.
DRPS says its forecast includes major facility renewal and expansion projects with long useful lives and region-wide benefits.
Oshawa – The Most Critical Investment
The Police plan says the Oshawa Police Campus represents the most critical investment in the service’s long-term facility plan, addressing urgent compliance and space deficits.
By co-locating a modern training facility, Central East Division replacement, and a dedicated Police Headquarters into a single 400,000-square-foot site, the service eliminates the constraints of a 53-year-old building and costly leases.
“This move is essential for Community Safety and Policing Act compliance, ensuring the service can deliver mandated training that current facilities cannot support. Beyond operational needs, this campus provides a permanent home for the service, offering shared spaces that promote community partnerships and strengthen public trust,” said the report.
New Ajax Division
The report said earlier this year, a parcel of land in North Ajax was acquired to facilitate the construction of a modern 44,000-square-foot operational division (see below).
“This project is a key component of the service’s growth-management strategy, designed to redistribute the workload from the Pickering division, which is currently operating beyond its design limits. This new facility will provide the infrastructure necessary to support the evolving needs of Ajax and the surrounding communities while ensuring long-term operational sustainability. Occupancy is currently estimated to be in 2030,” it pointed out.
Ajax is the smallest town in Durham.
Regional Reporting Centre
At 52 years of age, the Regional Reporting Centre is facing significant infrastructure challenges that necessitate a comprehensive overhaul. To balance potential regional priorities, the redevelopment of this site is planned for the 2028–2031 window. This timeline reflects a strategic sequencing of the capital plan.
The service is currently conducting a feasibility study to determine if rebuilding on the existing site is more cost-effective than relocation.
Fleet, Equipment, IT and Communications
The police forecast includes capital investments in fleet, equipment, information technology, and communications systems required to maintain operational readiness and comply with provincial standards.
“The Durham Regional Police Service Board is scheduled to review a report at their May 19, 2026 meeting regarding this project, including a land acquisition. Pending ]approval by the Police Services Board in May, it is anticipated that the request will be brought forward to the [region’s] Finance and Administration Committee in June for Regional Council consideration,” said an earlier report (see below).
Now that the DRPS plan has been accepted for information, a regional council decision is expected only after the new council is formed after the October municipal elections.
Modern Policing
DRPS said its refreshed ten-year capital forecast moves the service away from outdated, fragmented environments toward purpose-built facilities designed for modern policing.
“By replacing aging facilities, renovating key sites, and expanding the service’s total footprint by more than double the current space, the plan significantly reduces reliance on leased spaces. This vision prioritizes operational modernization and maximum space effectiveness, ensuring the service’s facilities can meet the demands of Durham’s rapidly growing communities,” the report said.
In 2026, the police budget was the largest component of the region’s property tax increase of 4.8 per cent.
Staff Increased 42% Between 2018-26
DRPS plan said from 2018 to 2026, the Durham police staff compliment has increased by 498 positions (42 per cent), including 359 new sworn positions and 139 new civilian positions.
DRPS has recently been acquiring new technologies recently such as drones and all terrain vehicles in its fight against crime.