Leaders in two Black community groups said they’d like to see London’s Police Service Board (LPSB) make a more concerted effort to recruit board members from diverse backgrounds.

Their comments come as the board’s newest member Jeffery Lang was sworn in on Thursday. Lang’s appointment fills a vacancy on the seven-member board which has a mandate to provide civilian oversight and guidance over the police force. Lang, a provincial appointee, last served on the board four years ago

Each of the board’s seven members are white.

Carl Cadogan, chair of London’s Black Heritage Council, said the appointment represents a missed opportunity for a police force he praises for making positive steps in recent years toward diversity and inclusion.

“They’ve really been trying to focus on equity in hiring and in terms of how they deliver service,” said Cadogan.

“It seems ironic that something like a board of directors, they don’t pay the same attention to,” he said. “It’s a bit discouraging to me.”

Maya Mark, president of the London chapter of the Congress of Black Women, called the recent appointment and makeup of the LPSB disappointing.

“Once the vacancies for the police board become available and London Police Services is aware, it is imperative that they reach out to various diverse community organizations in the city to notify us so that we can ensure that qualified persons from our communities take the necessary steps to at least be considered for the roles,” she said.

LPSB has seven members. Three come from sitting London city council members and typically one of those includes the mayor. In addition to Mayor Josh Morgan, the members are councillors Susan Stevenson and Steve Lehman.

A fourth member is someone from the community — not a city councillor or city employee — elected by city council. Current board chair Ryan Gauss fills this spot.

Council voted Gauss to the board in 2023 after a fraught and controversial process.

The other three spots are provincial appointees, currently held by Lang, former London city councillor Nancy Branscombe and Mike Wallace, executive director of the London Development Institute. Branscombe was appointed in 2022 despite a letter from then board chair Susan Toth asking the province to appoint an Indigenous member.

Online application for provincial appointees

Provincial appointees can apply to fill police board vacancies online. A provincial website laying out the process says “previous experience on boards or committees is considered an asset.”

Current vacancies are listed here.

Cadogan recommends the LPSB directly reach out to diverse communities the next time there’s a board vacancy.

“Part of the problem with these kinds of these things is that they have an application process, but nobody know about it,” he said. “If there was an announcement made that we could circulate in our community … that would be a good thing.”

Gauss, however, said diversity is a priority for the LPSB and points out the appointment process does not involve sitting members.

“I understand the concerns that the community has, and I’ve spoken about this many times before,” said Gauss. “The board itself has no control over appointments that are made.”

Gauss said he doesn’t believe it would be appropriate for sitting LPSB members to actively solicit applications because “the board is not the appointing entity.”

Gauss pointed to the efforts by London Police Service to bring diversity to hiring new positions on the force, saying 25 per cent of all new hires last year were people from diverse backgrounds.

“The work and the plans being put in place always have a laser focus on making sure that this service represents the community that it serves,” he said.

Gauss said prospective board members can inquire about the provincial appointment process online and view any vacancies. He also said the board publicizes vacancies when they occur.

Lang’s qualifications praised

Regarding Lang, Gauss praised his qualifications as a former LPSB member and CEO of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board. He also pointed to Lang’s leadership roles in a long list of community organizations, including the Alzheimer Foundation of London and the London Food Bank.

“His background and his work are top-shelf,” said Gauss.

This year the LPSB will focus on developing a new strategic plan for the police force. The board may have new vacancies to fill after municipal elections happen in October.