The Montreal police force is prepared to rent out just about all of its services as it deals with a cash crunch.
The force says it's offering a range of services to the private sector, including surveillance and weapons maintenance.
The ultimate goal is for the force to eventually finance itself now that the city has cut its annual budget by $34 million.
Selling its services is one of the force's top priorities for 2010.
Montreal police already rent out motorcade and bodyguard services, and now it will expand the list to include wiretap and hidden-camera installation, risk analysis and police training.
Growth area
Montreal police have seen private contracts jump from 527 in 2007 to 803 in 2009.
Revenues nearly tripled, mainly due to a $4 million contract with Trudeau airport.
The force plans to charge smaller forces for its expertise and resources.
Spokesman Sylvain Brouilette told CTV's Annie DeMelt that there is major growth potential.
"Twelve years (ago), it started small, then last year, we made a few million, but we're going step by step," he said.
"It's not like tomorrow we will be rich -- it's not something like that."
Reassurance
Police say their plan won't affect service to the public.
They say they'll create a special task force if and when there's enough demand.
Reaction
The Montreal police brotherhood, which represents the nearly 4,600 officers on the force, says it supports the initiative.
But not everyone's thrilled with the extra competition -- the main players in the province's private security industry have called a meeting to discuss the plan.
