Mayor-elect John Tory will attempt to ease tensions involving the Toronto Police Services board by sitting on the committee himself, his office confirmed to CP24.

Tory told reporters Thursday afternoon that he was “not at all” happy with the frosty relationship between the board, the Toronto Police Service, and the community and that he would be actively trying to change that.

Tory, who takes the oath of office Tuesday afternoon, will not be the first mayor to involve himself directly with the seven-member police board. Although outgoing Mayor Rob Ford chose not to sit on the board, his predecessors David Miller and Mel Lastman did at some point during their mayoralty.

Ford instead chose Toronto Coun. Michael Thompson to sit on the board as vice-chair. Tory’s office confirmed Thompson and Coun. Frances Nunziata have not been invited back to the board.

“The mayor-elect would like Thompson to be Economic Development Chair,” said Tory’s spokesperson, Amanda Galbraith. “No final decision has been made because Coun. Thompson must of course accept the position.

Thompson and Nunziata have not commented on Tory’s decision.

Councillors express doubt at changes

Other councillors have reacted to the news, expressing doubt about the move.

“It’s always a change but it’s important for the mayor to listen to people who were on the board during a crucial time,” said Coun. Ana Bailao.

Former councillor Mike Del Grande, who also served on the Toronto Police Services Board, and Ford’s brother, Coun. Doug Ford, said Tory is making a mistake in getting rid of Thompson and Nunziata.

“It’s a terrible idea,” Ford said. “They were the only two that held police accountable.”

Del Grande went a step further, alluding to deeper issues behind the scenes of the board.

“There are many things we’d love to share with the public but we can not, and if they were aware, they’d be quite concerned about some of the issues that we face for the most part,” he said.

Del Grande said he was often told he couldn't publicly go against the board's decisions.

Thompson was an outspoken member of the board who earlier this year said the police service needed a “shake up.” He was also openly critical of outgoing police chief Bill Blair, and of the service’s strip search policies and accused the board of trying to censor him.

The Toronto Police Association, the union representing about 8,000 uniform and civilian members of the service, came out in support of the idea.

They issued a press release Friday afternoon calling Tory's decision as a "step in the right direction."

"We are cautiously optimistic that Mr. Tory's leadership will bring much needed cohesiveness to the board, provide the association with opportunities for meaningful discussion and more importantly, reaffirm public confidence in civilian oversight," the statement said. "This announcement is a signal that city hall gets the message that there needs to be change at the (Toronto Police Services Board)."

The city is in the middle of contract negotiations with the union. The current contract expires on Dec. 31, 2014.

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