Council reviews police staffing changes, job descriptions and July 1 dispatch transition to county

London City Council reviewed several personnel and operational items tied to the police department, including a new police support specialist job description, broader job-description revisions for police roles, and an ongoing transition of dispatch services to the county planned for July 1.

Council members said the police support specialist is intended as a supplemental, salaried position to handle public-facing clerk duties in addition to other tasks; that item was on second reading and carries an emergency clause. Council also discussed updates to other police job descriptions, which the council asked to return to the finance committee with highlighted changes for review.

Separately, council members said the city will transition dispatch to the county on July 1 and that hiring for related positions must continue under city procedures. Council also heard that bids for a police facility had produced potential cost overruns; one council member reported the project could face up to $300,000 in overruns and said city staff planned to meet with contractors and the chief to seek reductions. Council indicated more financial details are expected at the upcoming finance meeting.