Hillsboro residents have until Thursday, Oct. 1, to apply for a seat on the Hillsboro Police Department's new Community Advisory Group.

The group will meet monthly with Police Chief Jim Coleman to discuss policing priorities, according to the city's official page for the program. Members will share their perspectives on topics Coleman raises and bring their own concerns to the table.

The advisory group will represent the cultural, ethnic and racial diversity of the Hillsboro community and advise the chief directly on issues residents face, the city said on that page.

The Hillsboro Police Department (HPD) formed an internal working group in 2020 to guide the future of public safety in the city, according to the department's Building Community Trust page. That working group led to the new advisory group.

The program also includes a Student Participation & Scholarship Program open to incoming high school seniors.

HPD posted the announcement in both English and Spanish on the Hillsboro School District's website on Friday, Sept. 11.

Applications are available at hillsboro-oregon.gov. Residents with questions can call HPD's general information line at 503-681-6190.