The Winnipeg Police Board meeting took a look at the 2015 city budget Friday morning.
Police Chief Devon Clunis was not at the meeting.
Police board member Leslie Spillett brought this up, saying this is at least the second consecutive meeting he's missed.
The WPS said Clunis was not at that first meeting as the time for it was changed and he was away on vacation. It said this time, he was scheduled to speak at two conferences outside the city.
Instead on Friday, Deputy Chief Art Stannard spoke on behalf of Winnipeg Police Service, saying in the past year and a half there's been a drop in violent crime, but calls for service are up.
WPS Comptroller Ron Smolik spoke of operational cost reductions, including reducing overtime and costs for the new headquarters and furniture.
The 2015 budget for 1,932.35 full-time equivalents is $224.2 million, up $9.6 million from 2014.
The board discussed partnerships to aid police, including school resource officers.
Dave Sanders preceded the budget presentation with concerns about headquarters costs and the need to concentrate more on murdered and missing women.
The police board passed the budget. It will next go to EPC and then full council later this month.
