A child psychiatrist and Western University assistant professor has been named the newest member of the London Police Services Board.
Dr. Javeed Sukhera was appointed to an eight-month term on the board by the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services on Monday. The appointment fills one of two provincial vacancies on the civilian body responsible for governing London police.
Sukhera is an assistant professor of psychiatry and pediatrics at the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry at Western University and the senior designate physician lead for child and adolescent psychiatry at London Health Sciences Centre. His research focuses on implicit bias recognition and mental illness stigma reduction. Sukhera is also working toward a PhD in health professions education through Maastricht University.
He joins Board Chair and City Councillor Mo Salih, Vice Chair Susan Toth, Mayor Matt Brown, Councillor Jesse Helmer, and Vanessa Ambtman-Smith on the board that was expanded from five to seven members last year.
“The board is very pleased about the appointment of Dr. Sukhera to the London Police Services Board," said Vice Chair Susan Toth. "I expect that his vast knowledge, experience, and expertise in the area of mental health and trauma, as well as his passionate advocacy for the underserved, will complement the work of the Board and the Police Service."
Sukhera will be sworn in on May 3 and will then attend his first meeting as a board member on May 17.
His term will run until December 31.