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London’s police chief is seeking public input on a new initiative in which Londoners will form two citizen councils to provide ongoing feedback to the force.
The London Police Service (LPS) is seeking volunteers for a Community Advisory Council (CCAC) and a Youth Advisory Council (CYAC), both of which will share similar responsibilities.
“I’m looking for input,” said LPS Chief Thai Truong on CBC’s London Morning. “Communication with the community is always good. You can’t ever have enough, and for me, this is something I’ve wanted to do since I came here.”
Truong, who late last year announced he would stay in the top job until 2031, said that after a busy start to his tenure, the LPS is in a position to establish groups to better understand the community’s needs and how Londoners feel about the service’s work.
He said part of the importance of establishing the council lies in the blind spots they may have.
“When we launch certain initiatives, and we look at crime prevention, or even enforcement, or issues in the city, we think we’re the experts, right?” Truong said.
“But the longer you are in policing, the less you are attuned to civilian life. As soon as you become a police officer, you start to change. You really do, because you see the worst things in community and life, and you’re never the same when you finish.”
Truong said it’s a valuable opportunity to hear a civilian perspective in a structured format.
Each advisory council will consist of 12 members, two of whom will serve as chair and vice chair. Members will be interviewed and have police background checks as part of the application process. The councils will meet every other month.
The stated purpose of the councils is to “provide advice and help inform internal policy, social equality, budget proposals, and crime prevention,” according to the application site.
Truong said on Tuesday morning that about 100 applications had already come in for the adult council. He hopes to review even more, with a focus on accepting applicants with a wide range of lived experiences.
“We’re hoping these councils are a cross-section of our community. So we don’t want everyone to be the same, because you run the risk of having the same perspectives,” Truong said.
Applications for the advisory councils are open until Jan. 23.
Applicants for the youth advisory council must be ages 14 to 18.