Post 5: What Boards Don’t Know About Public Feedback And Why It Matters
Police Governance Boards in Ontario often believe they’re doing enough. They hold a meeting. They post a notice. They listen politely. But meaningful engagement isn’t about checking boxes. It’s about challenging assumptions.
Most boards don’t operate beyond the obvious activities in the public consultation process. And that’s the problem.
Research from oversight bodies, governance institutes, and police reform studies shows that public trust is built not through process, but through presence. Boards must go beyond the legislation and ask: What does our community actually need from us?
What boards should consider during public feedback:
- Are we asking the right questions or just inviting open mic night?
- Are we hearing from diverse voices or just the loudest ones?
- Are we validating feedback or quietly filing it away?
- Are we reporting back or leaving the public in the dark?
- Are we shaping priorities or deferring everything as “operational” and out of our control?
- Are we building trust or just surviving the meeting?
Some ideas on how boards can do better:
- Include guiding questions in public notices to focus discussion and prepare the public
- Include community partners in sharing your notices. Consider going beyond the notice on the municipal or board website and the local paper
- Use facilitators or moderators to manage tone and ensure equity of voice
- Publish clear summaries of what was heard and and how the information will be used; for strategic planning, for local action plans, for guidance to Police Services or for follow-up
- Create feedback loops that extend beyond one-time sessions
- Train board members in critical conversation techniques, emotional intelligence and strategic listening
- Ensure Board members are prepared with information on recent decisions on strategy, budget and crisis management which almost always come up
- Reflect on what feedback reveals about community values, not just service gaps
Boards are not just oversight bodies. They are trust-builders, priority-setters, and community connectors.
This series was built to help boards lead with courage, clarity, and connection. Because governance isn’t just about what you’re required to do. It’s about what your community needs you to become.