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The London police force will need to make a strong case for an extra $1.5 million to hire more officers on top of its $107-million budget request for next year, one city politician says.

Police brass say they need a dozen new employees, a combination of sworn officers and civilians, to keep up with the increasing demand for their services from a growing city.

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A similar request in 2016 led to an unprecedented showdown between police and council that was narrowly averted by an 11th-hour deal.

The latest request comes on the heels of a report that showed London police have the second lowest number of police staff members, proportionately, of 17 major Canadian cities.

London’s incoming council, which includes seven newcomers, will decide whether to approve the request next year.

“It will be an interesting challenge for a new council to make this kind of decision,” Coun. Phil Squire said Friday.

Police will need to outline in detail why they need these new hires and how the move will benefit London, Squire said.

“Because that’s really important to me when there are so many needs in the community,” he said.

“The No. 1 thing I’m hearing from constituents now is neighbourhood safety, break-ins to homes, break-ins to cars, those kind of things.”

The London police services board on Thursday approved a motion requesting $1.5 million from the city’s assessment growth fund — essentially, property tax revenue from new growth — to cover the 12 new hires.

“The city, as it grows, obviously puts pressure on a variety of services that keep up with the demands that come from growth. That’s why we have assessment growth funding,” board member Coun. Jesse Helmer said.