"We know that there's crime," said Interim Police Chief Steve Bell. "And [those areas] would really benefit from us building those relationships."

After a two-year hiatus, community policing is returning to Ottawa.

Interim Police Chief Steve Bell explained to 1310 NEWS that groups of eight will start in three seperate areas of the city, where they will work with the community to identify safety concerns and how those issues can be addressed.

Those areas are Vanier-Overbrook, Carlington and Ottawa South.

"We know that there's crime, both low-level and more serious crime, as well as social disorder issues that would really benefit from us being in those neighbourhoods and building those relationships to solve those issues." said Bell.

The plan will be to re-evaluate how policing is being carried out in those areas over the next 18 months. From there, Ottawa Police will look at expanding the community program.

Acting Chief Bell said their budget projection sees a growth of 30 officers per year over the next three years.

"We will look at investing some, or all of those number of growth positions into different neighbourhoods across the city," said Bell.

City councillor and Chair of the Ottawa Police Services Board Diane Deans said the move is the right decision.

"They get to know the community; if there's something suspicious because they know the players in the neighbourhood," Deans explained to 1310 NEWS.

She says people will feel more comfortable speaking with officers because relationships have been built through interactions.

