Media Release Vaccination Policy

LONDON POLICE SERVICE ANNOUNCES VACCINATION DISCLOSURE PROCEDURE

UPDATE – LONDON (October 19, 2021) – As of October 19, 2021, 90% of active duty employees of the LPS have provided proof of full vaccination. Of the remaining employees who have not provided proof of full vaccination, a number are in the process of becoming fully vaccinated, and others have submitted requests for accommodation.  The LPS will continue to work with unvaccinated members on a case-by-case basis, in accordance with the Chief’s directive, with a goal of achieving maximum compliance and optimum workplace safety. 

“I’m very pleased with the level of compliance we are seeing from our members,” says Police Chief Steve Williams. “As it has been throughout the pandemic, it remains our goal to ensure the health and safety of all members of the LPS as well as the community we serve, in accordance with governing legislation and the advice and recommendations of public health authorities.”

ORIGINAL – LONDON, ON (September 28, 2021) – The London Police Service (LPS) Vaccination Disclosure and Safe Workplace Procedure is being implemented, effective today, Tuesday, September 28, 2021.

The creation of this procedure was based on the advice and recommendation of Public Health Authorities, and was developed in consultation with the London Police Association and the London Police Services Board. The LPS is committed to providing all members with a safe and healthy work environment. This includes the obligation to take every precaution reasonable in the circumstance for the protection of workers.

“The health and safety of LPS employees, as well as all members of our community, is paramount,” said Police Chief Steve Williams. “We support doing everything that we can to ensure that safety, including requiring members to provide verification of full vaccination.”

As an emergency service provider, the LPS has a heightened responsibility to do everything possible to protect the communities we serve, including vulnerable populations our members interact with in the course of their duties.

The procedure provides for a phased-approach. In phase one, all LPS employees, both sworn and civilian members, as well as auxiliary officers, volunteers, co-op students, and students or other citizens participating in LPS programs, will have until October 15, 2021, to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination.  Those individuals who cannot be fully vaccinated based on a protected ground under the Ontario Human Rights Code, must submit a request for accommodation with supporting documentation.

In phase two, which will be informed by the results of phase one, those covered by the procedure who fail to provide proof of vaccination, or who are not subject to an approved accommodation will be subject to mandatory participation in COVID-19 educational session(s), and may be subject to additional measures to ensure the continued health and safety of our workplace and the community we serve. Those measures could include reassignment, removal from active duties, the employee being placed on an unpaid leave of absence, and/or disciplinary action up to and including termination.  

Given the developing and novel environment in which we find ourselves with respect to the COVID-19 pandemic, this procedure will remain indefinite in nature and will be reviewed and amended as required.  

For media inquiries, contact:

Cst. Scott Mandich
Relief Media Relations Officer
T. 519-661-5410
Email. Media Officer