London Police Service is launching a new initiative that will see foot patrol officers hopping on city buses and walking through transit vehicles during their regular shifts. The partnership with London Transit Commission aims to boost community engagement and make policing more visible across the city.
Starting this month, officers will be periodically riding buses or walking through them in the Downtown, Midtown and Old East Village areas. According to the London Police Service announcement, this collaboration is designed to foster positive connections with riders and contribute to crime prevention through increased visibility.
“This partnership reflects our commitment to being visible, approachable, and connected to the community we serve,” said Chief Thai Truong. “By meeting people where they are, in everyday spaces like our transit system, we can build trust, strengthen relationships, and reinforce that community safety is a shared responsibility.”
The initiative represents a shift toward more community-focused policing, with officers engaging with the public in everyday spaces rather than only during emergency situations. The goal is to encourage residents to feel more comfortable approaching officers in community spaces, thereby strengthening public trust without raising unnecessary concerns.
London Transit Commission General Manager Kelly Paleczny expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, noting that rider and employee safety remains the transit system’s top priority. “London Transit is proud to partner with the London Police Service to promote safety across our city, including on public transit,” Paleczny said. “This collaborative initiative will further strengthen our ongoing Travel Safe program.”
The police presence on buses is intended to showcase what officials describe as “the human side of policing.” Officers will regularly engage with the public whenever possible, working alongside LTC partners to promote a safe and welcoming transit experience for all riders.
This community engagement strategy focuses on building relationships through routine interactions rather than enforcement actions. The London Police Service emphasized that the initiative aims to bolster community confidence and create opportunities for positive police-citizen interactions in natural settings.
Transit riders are encouraged to feel at ease interacting with officers during these encounters. The police service invites riders to say hello and ask any questions they may have when they encounter officers on buses or at transit stops.
The partnership builds on existing safety measures within London’s transit system, including the Travel Safe program that LTC already operates. By combining police visibility with transit operations, both organizations hope to create a more secure environment for the thousands of daily bus riders across London’s transit network.
The foot patrol officers participating in this initiative will continue their regular duties while incorporating bus rides and transit facility visits into their shifts. This approach allows for consistent police presence without requiring additional resources or specialized transit police units.