London Police Services Board adopts new diversity plan for police ranks, even as its diversity has diminished

The LPSB has adopted a new diversity plan that aims to ensure London police are reflective of the community they serve. Daryl Newcombe reports

The ranks of officers and civilians within the London Police Service (LPS) are growing more diverse, but the civilian police board that oversees its governance has not.

On Wednesday, the London Police Services Board (LPSB) adopted a new diversity plan outlining its commitment and expectations that guide the operational Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) plan.

The board’s diversity plan reads, “The London Police Service Board is committed to building a police service that reflects, respects, and includes the broad diversity of the community, embracing all identities, experiences, and perspectives.”

LPSB Chair Ryan Gauss explained, “In the last year, the London Police Service has 25 per cent of sworn officers self-Identify from diverse backgrounds. Twenty-four per cent of civilian professionals identify from diverse backgrounds. We are building one of the most diverse executive teams in the country when it comes to police services as well.”

However, the current membership of the Police Board does not reflect the diversity of London.

The seven-seat civilian oversight board is made up of four seats appointed by city council and three seats appointed by the provincial government.

Earlier this year, former-Chair Ali Chahbar resigned for health reasons and was replaced by Mike Wallace in November.

In addition, provincial appointee Dr. Hayley Faulkner recently resigned from the board and that vacancy has yet to be filled.

“All boards and committees should reflect the community in which they serve. One hundred per cent yes,” LPSB Chair Ryan Gauss told CTV News. “Now, when it comes to the Police Service Board, there’s both the Province of Ontario as well as the City of London that appoint (members) to this board. Both parties don’t talk to each other when it comes to appointments sometimes.”

In 2017, the board was expanded from five to seven members to reflect London’s growing population and diversity.

By 2019, the board was a model of diversity including members who were Black, Indigenous, and Muslim.

In May, City Council acknowledged the importance of diversity on the board by enacting a Municipal Diversity Plan for Appointments to LPSB that states, “The City of London is committed to recruiting and selecting members to the London Police Services Board that reflect the diversity of the community.”

Meanwhile, the provincial government’s website on police board appointments reads, “Provincial appointees reflect the diversity of the people of Ontario and deliver services and decisions in a non-partisan, professional, ethical and competent manner.”

Gauss makes this commitment to Londoners from diverse communities,” We’ll stop at nothing to make sure that all voices are heard, that all lived experiences and backgrounds, that their views are represented within this room.”

The current membership of the London Police Services Board:

• Ryan Gauss (Chair)
• Nancy Branscombe (Vice-Chair)
• Mayor Josh Morgan
• Coun. Susan Stevenson
• Coun. Steve Lehman
• Mike Wallace