Enhancing Emergency Response and Accessibility
As London grows, so do the demands on police services. In 2024, the LPS introduced new programs and expanded service models to meet those needs, improving emergency response, making non-urgent reporting more accessible, and supporting frontline officers with smarter, community-focused tools.
Special Constables: Strengthening Frontline Service
In 2024, the LPS launched the Uniformed Division Special Constable Program, a major step toward enhancing emergency response, improving service accessibility and deepening connections with the community.
On October 28, 2024, 19 inaugural Special Constables were officially sworn in following an intensive training program that combined academic coursework with practical skills development. Now deployed across designated patrol areas in the city, Special Constables play an essential role in strengthening frontline operations. The LPS is the first police service to deliver the accredited Ontario Police College Special Constable training program.
Their responsibilities include:
- Responding to non-emergency calls for service
- Assisting with investigative support duties
- Conducting high-visibility crime prevention patrols
- Supporting traffic collision management
- Engaging in proactive, positive interactions with community members
“The introduction of the Special Constable Program will assist us by decreasing response times, adding additional community engagement opportunities and increasing our visibility throughout the city.
Aligning with our key priorities, this program will help enhance public safety and trust and help ensure the well being of London’s communities.”
By supporting frontline officers and building more opportunities for community engagement, the Special Constable Program helps the LPS serve a growing city more responsively and effectively.
Alternative Service Delivery: Expanding Access and Efficiency
To better meet community needs and ensure efficient use of resources, the LPS continues to expand alternative reporting and response options, offering citizens faster, more accessible ways to connect with police services for non-urgent incidents.
At the center of this approach is the Enhanced Services Unit (ESU), which handles lower-priority calls through:
- Phone response
- Email communication
- Scheduled in-person appointments
The Online Reporting System allows residents to quickly report select incidents such as fraud, mischief, or theft, through a secure digital platform.
This multi-channel model frees up frontline patrol officers to focus on urgent, in-progress calls while ensuring that non-urgent matters are addressed promptly and professionally.
2024 Alternative Service Delivery Highlights
- 15,367calls for service completed via online reporting
- 2,158online reports resulting in criminal charges
“Online reporting helps us focus patrol resources where they’re needed most, while still making it convenient for residents to report non-urgent incidents.”
The alternative service delivery model combines technology and police personnel to provide the public with a more accessible and efficient way to report incidents and engage with us.
