A new committee created by the Westbrook police chief is geared toward making the city a more welcoming place for all people.

Chief Bill Baker announced last week he would be forming a human relations committee, which would “play a leadership role in helping Westbrook embrace the city’s growing diversity.”

Baker said there have been a few incidents where people in Westbrook were assaulted because of their race, and knows that more of the same sort of crime happens more often in “our neighbor to the east,” he said, referring to Portland.

However, Baker said, those factors aren’t driving the formation of the committee. Baker led a similar committee as police chief in Laconia, N.H., and wants to start one here before deeper problems arise.

Being proactive, he said, “gets Westbrook in front of these issues.”

The committee will consist of no less than seven members, appointed by the mayor.

It will meet monthly to discuss ways to educate and celebrate diversity and how to deal with issues that arise from language barriers and cultural misunderstandings.

Baker and Mayor Bruce Chuluda are hoping to see many residents come forward to participate in the committee, which Baker will introduce to the City Council at an upcoming meeting.