London, Ont. police budget gets endorsement from major public figures

At a press conference Monday, the heads of several major public institutions, including Western University and St. Joseph's Health Care, endorsed the record-setting police budget.

The London police service’s record-setting $672-million budget has received ringing endorsements from several major community figures, including the president of Western University and the CEO of St. Joseph’s Healthcare.

This comes as London Mayor Josh Morgan tabled his own city budget with a 2024 tax increase of 8.8 per cent, with 5 per cent coming from the police budget alone.

If approved by the city council, the budget would modernize the force, buy needed equipment, and build a new training centre.

189 new hires would also be brought on, including 97 new officers.

London’s police force is one of the least staffed in the province, with the second lowest per-capita number of officers and the worst response times in Ontario.

“We’re talking about modern technology, we’re talking about better training, we’re talking about a comprehensive package that the totality once you add it together, will make London safer,” says London Police Services Board Chair Ali Chahbar. “You add all of these things together in addition to new leadership with a new collaborative approach, you’ll see results very, very quickly.”

At a press conference Wednesday, heads of Western University, Fanshawe College, London Health Sciences Centre, St. Joseph’s Health Care, Thames Valley District School Board, and the London District Catholic School Board all endorsed the budget request.

“(This budget) will help make London an even stronger destination of choice for young leaders and professionals and their families,” said Western president Alan Shepard.