The Peel Regional Police Association has endorsed Ward 2 Councillor Alvin Tedjo for mayor of Mississauga. This marks the first time the union, representing nearly 4,000 members, has supported a candidate in a local mayoral race.
The PRPA's First-Ever Endorsement of a Mississauga Mayoral Candidate
In a move that breaks long-standing organizational tradition, the Peel Regional Police Association (PRPA) officially backed Alvin Tedjo during a news conference on September 21. According to the report, PRPA president Adrian Woolley stated that the decision was based specifically on Tedjo's comprehensive crime and saefty plan, signaling a desire for a municipal leader who prioritizes the needs of frontline officers.
The PRPA represents nearly 4,000 uniformed and civilian members of the Peel Regional Police. By choosing Tedjo over other candidates, including incumbent Carolyn Parrish and former mayor Bonnie Crombie, the union is explicitly seeking a "new approach" to public safety that moves beyond reactive policing to proactive leadership.
Alvin Tedjo's Strategy to Combat Auto Theft and Violent Crime
Councillor Alvin Tedjo has centered his mayoral campaign on a plan to modernize law enforcement tools and aggressively tackle violent crime and vehicle theft. As reported , Tedjo's proposal includes the creation of a dedicated Mississauga Safety Division and the implementation of annual public safety meetings across the city to maintain transparency and community engagement.
Beyond increasing the number of officers on the street, Alvin Tedjo is advocating for a revised police funding formula for Mississauga and Brampton. He claims this new formula would ensure a fairer distribution of resources while simultaneously reducing the tax burden on local residents, though he has not detailed the exact mechanics of this financial shift.
Carolyn Parrish and the 21.3% Police Budget Dispute
The endorsement of Alvin Tedjo creates a sharp contrast with the current administration. Mayor Carolyn Parrish has expressed significant concerns regarding the financial sustainability of increasing police budgets, noting that she resigned from the Peel Police Service Board in 2024 after being required to support a 21.3% budget increase for the force.
Mayor Carolyn Parrish argues that Mississauga has historically carried a disproportionate share of the policing budget compared to Brampton , despite Brampton having a larger population. Parrish maintains that it is fiscally impossible to freeze property taxes while simultaneously granting the police department unlimited resources, a direct challenge to the promises made by Alvin Tedjo.
Bonnie Crombie's 135-Officer Record vs. Dipika Damerla's Audit Push
The race features competing visions of efficiency and growth. Former mayor Bonnie Crombie has highlighted her own record of strengthening frontline policing, noting that the final police budget approved during her tenure on the board provided funding for 135 additional officers.. Crombie has criticized Mayor Parrish's resignation from the Police Services Board as an "abdication of leadership."
Meanwhile, Ward 7 Councillor Dipika Damerla is positioning hersellf as a proponent of fiscal accountability.. Damerla has stated she will continue to fight for value-for-money audits of the Peel Police, suggesting that any savings identified through these audits should be redirected towad increasing the number of officers and patrol cars on the streets.
David Bosveld's Challenge to the 'More Cops' Narrative
While the political candidates debate budget allocations, community advocatees are questioning the efficacy of the "more officers" approach. David Bosveld, founder of Black Education Fund Empowers, argues that increasing police funding is not a proven method for enhancing community safety.
Bosveld suggests that the city must address the root causes of crime—such as food insecurity, unemployment, and lack of housing—rather than focusing solely on law enforcement. this highlights a critical gap in the current mayoral debate: whether the candidates' focus on policing resources ignores the preventative social services that community leaders claim are essential for long-term stability.
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