Joint Forces Operations and Internal Task Forces
Targeted enforcement and strong collaboration are key to preventing crime and keeping our city safe. The LPS uses a combination of Internal Task Forces and Joint Forces Operations to respond proactively to local issues and work alongside provincial and federal partners on more complex threats.
These operations combine strategic planning, data-informed deployment and integrated policing partnership, ensuring that policing resources are used where they’re needed most.
Internal Task Forces
Throughout 2024, the LPS created 20 Internal Task Forces to address crime trends and respond to public safety concerns across the City of London. These teams deployed officers strategically for high-visibility operations and issue specific responses, including both enforcement initiatives and planned public events.
2024 Internal Task Force Outcomes
- 20total operations
- 26arrests
- 17criminal charges laid
- 172Provincial Offence Notices issued
These efforts included visible police presence during key events such as New Year’s Eve, St. Patrick’s Day, Western University Homecoming and Project L.E.A.R.N. (Liquor Enforcement and Reduction of Noise), helping reduce risk and support safe celebrations.
“The presence of task force officers during large public events has helped prevent escalation, improve safety, and support respectful community behaviour.”
All internal task forces successfully met their performance objectives in 2024. Most were carried out using existing operational budgets. One exception was the 2024 Homecoming Project, which necessitated spending of $157,240.92 to manage public safety during unsanctioned gatherings.
Joint Forces Operations
In 2024, the LPS participated in 14 Joint Forces Operations, working alongside provincial and federal partners to tackle serious multi-jurisdictional criminal activity.
These collaborative efforts target high-risk criminal activity including:
- Terrorism
- Gang violence
- Human trafficking
- Child exploitation
- Organized crime
LPS contributed personnel and intelligence to several provincial strategies, including:
- Provincial Anti-Terrorism Section
- Collaborated on investigations with RCMP – Integrated National Security Enforcement Team and Canadian Security Intelligence Service; LPS member assigned to the Criminal Intelligence Section, fully funded by OPP.
- Provincial Joint Forces Guns and Gangs Enforcement Team
- 32 search warrants executed, 125 charges laid, $1,022,000 in drugs and $631,040 in currency seized, along with 12 firearms.
- Provincial Strategy to Protect Children from Sexual Abuse and Exploitation on the Internet
- 35 ICE case requests completed: 153 terabytes of data examined across 53 mobile devices and 82 computers.
- Provincial Human Trafficking Intelligence-Led Joint Forces Strategy
- 19 arrests, 104 charges laid, and 89 support meetings with suspected victims.
These operations strengthen enforcement capabilities, improve intelligence sharing, and allow for a coordinated response across Ontario. LPS has seconded investigators to support these Joint Force Operations and Units - In most cases, funding is supported by the OPP and the Solicitor General of Ontario.
“These partnerships expand our reach and help ensure our strategic alignment with efforts to combat organized criminal activity in London and throughout the province.”
All Joint Forces Operations involving LPS in 2024 successfully met performance objectives, reinforcing our commitment to proactive policing and collective safety.
