MESSAGE FROM THE CHIEF OF POLICE

MESSAGE FROM THE CHIEF OF POLICE
Provincial State of Emergency and ‘Stay-At-Home’ Order 

UPDATE – LONDON, ON (January 14, 2021) – The London Police Service has had an opportunity to review the regulations provided by the Province related to the stay-at-home order that became effective January 14, 2021.  The regulations can be found here.  

To reiterate earlier messaging, we will continue to work in partnership with City of London By-Law Enforcement and the Middlesex–London Health Unit in doing our part to stop the spread of COVID-19.  In terms of enforcement of the stay-at-home order, we will not enter a home, stop a vehicle, or stop a person for the singular purpose of checking compliance with the order. Our enforcement will continue to be largely complaint-driven, or in instances where our officers observe something that contravenes the order, putting our community at risk. Our objective will continue to be to act in the interest of community safety.

Steve Williams
Chief of Police 
London Police Service

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ORIGINAL – LONDON, ON (January 13, 2021) – The London Police Service continues to actively monitor the COVID-19 situation in collaboration with national and provincial health agencies, as well as local stakeholders, including hospitals and community agencies.

We understand that there are questions in the community surrounding what enforcement might look like in relation to the new Provincial ‘stay-at-home’ order that commences at 12:01 a.m., on Thursday, January 14, 2021. While we are reviewing preliminary information received from the province yesterday about the state of emergency and new restrictions, we continue to await further clarification and details. In the interim, however, we want to assure Londoners that many of the rumours circulating with respect to potential enforcement measures are not based on fact or reality. The intent of the Emergency Order is to bring this pandemic to an end, and to keep people safe through the collective actions of our community. We know that the majority of Londoners have complied with previous restrictions patiently and with the goal of protecting themselves and their community, and we do not anticipate that this new order will result in anything different. 

We recognize however, that we have a role to play in keeping the community safe during this pandemic, and we are committed to that and will continue to step in where actions of individuals are putting our community at risk.  We have been working in partnership with City of London Bylaw throughout the pandemic in addressing violations of restrictions and orders, and we will continue to do so. Throughout this pandemic, the police response has been largely complaint-based, meaning we are responding to concerns from community members.  These complaints and enforcement measures have related predominately to gatherings in excess numbers of those permitted. 

As we have continued to remind the community, hosting or participating in gatherings could result in charges being laid pursuant to the Reopening Ontario Act. Gathering limits are in place for the health and well-being of everyone, and we will not hesitate to take appropriate action when our community is put at risk. As of midnight tonight, no indoor gatherings beyond your immediate household are permitted and outdoor gatherings will be limited to 5 people. 

We are also mindful that there are many in our community who don’t have a home to go to each night, and as has been our practice, we will continue to offer compassion to these individuals and work with our community partners to offer appropriate supports. 

We continue to post important information on our website. More detailed information about COVID-19 orders and precautions you can take are available at https://covid-19.ontario.ca/zones-and-restrictions and https://www.healthunit.com/ . 

Thank you to the members of the London Police Service who have been actively managing this situation for many months.  Your dedication to the organization and the community are admirable and appreciated. 

We look forward to the day when we can resume our regular activities and I have no doubt that working collectively we will get there. 

Steve Williams
Chief of Police
London Police Service

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For more information contact: 

Cst. Sandasha Bough
Media Relations Officer
C. 519-854-8576
mediaofficer@londonpolice.ca