London-area Liberal MP Kate Young is throwing her support behind London City Police who have been at the centre of online criticism for displaying the word “police” in five languages on their cruisers.

In addition to English and French, the vehicles display “police” in Vietnamese, Chinese, Persian, Polish and Arabic — the last of which seems to be drawing the brunt of the criticism.

The word “bulees” — a transliteration of the English beginning with “b” and using “u” because there is neither a “p” nor an “o” sound in Arabic, appears in Arabic script on some cruisers.

According to the CBC, a man from Quebec posted a photo of the Arabic decal on Facebook, where he wrote “So it starts. The little toes in the door already,” and asked, “why is this acceptable?”

Const. Sandasha Bough told CBC, “We have received a number of emails, a number of inquiries, a number of phone calls,” about the decal.

In a statement issued Friday afternoon, Young said she is “immensely” proud of London Police’s initiative, which was launched in 2009.

“I am disheartened to hear that such a welcoming and inclusive gesture is being used to criticize both our Police and our community. London is an inclusive and fair community that has a proud history of welcoming newcomers from all over the world. We will not be bullied by small-minded individuals with intolerant views,” Young wrote.

Young said the initiative should be expanded to include more languages, and be replicated in other communities across Canada with diverse populations.

“It is important to recognize that many newcomers come from countries where distrust and fear of police is common,” she said in her release.

“Simple and cost-effective gestures like this initiative by London Police foster a sense of inclusion and trust. It sends the message that police are in our communities to protect citizens and help build strong, healthy and safe neighbourhoods.”

Young is asking Londoners to use the hashtag #BeProudLdn on social media to in combat online criticism of London and the police.

“When we witness, or are the target of, any form of intolerance, we need to stand up and call it out. It is our shared responsibility to make our voices heard,” stated Young.