Letters of Commendation Received since last Regular Police Services Board Meeting

Agencies/Members of the Public	OPS Members	Excerpts from Letters
Ms. Eva Hudakova, Ms. Lucya Spencer Immigrant Women Services Ottawa	Cst Andrea Lensen	Cst. Lensen initially contacted our agency following our expressed need to assist a client…She expressed great interest in learning about our agency. During our discussions, we established that one of the most practical ways to help would be to collect donations of food, child toys and other practical household items and prepare them for specific families identified by our counsellors. The second week of December, Cst Lensen delivered individually prepared and wrapped hampers for 39 women and 56 children. We would like to express how much this help meant to us and to our clients.
Member of the Public	Cst. Fred St. Pierre	…..I found myself in need of police assistance involving one of my (verbally abusive and threatening) employees. Cst. St.Pierre took the time to explain what our rights were…He was very thorough in explaining the forms that needed to be completed and we found his conduct during the handling of this stressful and frightening situation was a credit to the Ottawa Police Force.
Member of the Public	Cst. Jamie Harper Cst. Jason Arbuthnot	I would like to commend to you two of your officers who were of great help to me in a very difficult situation….Cst. Harper told me that he and Cst. Arbuthnot had responded to a 911 call and found that my daughter had tried to harm herself. She was alright and the two officers were taking her to the hospital. He phoned me from the emergency ward and told me that she would be alright. Chief Bevan, I would like to say that these two officers acted beyond the call of duty, and I would like you to know that. They are a great credit to you and to your Police Force. I will never forget their kindness.
Member of the Public	Sr. Cst Dan Chartrand Cst. Tami Casselman Cst. Mike Compton Cst. Hugh O’Toole	I was a victim of a purse snatching….This dedicated team of officers searched for an hour in deep snow to find my purse and all its contents. I can’t thank them enough for this because replacing I.D. can take months and is so costly…I can only tell you, Chief Bevan, how professional, dedicated, pleasant and patient these police officers were. The empathy which they showed me will always remain with both me and my husband. I feel so grateful to them because in doing such a thorough job of catching the thief, and securing my belongings, I was saved from any harmful stress related to being a victim of crime.
Mr. Rudy Gheysen Director, Ontario Police College	Ms. Nancy Worsfold S/Sgt. Scott Nystedt Cst. Tess Innocent Ms. Zoye Coburn	I would like to take this opportunity to thank Nancy Worsfold, S/Sgt. Scott Nystedt, Cst. Tess Innocent, Hugh Nelson, Cynthia Cousens and Zoye Coburn for their valued contributions to the workshops, which were part of the Anti-discrimination and Diversity Issues in Policing Forum, January 7 – 10, 2003. The involvement of the Ottawa Police Service in the success of the Forum is greatly appreciated.
Mrs. Fran Hitchins Beachburg, On.	Chief Vince Bevan OPS Members Cst. Darryl Upshaw Members of the Honour Guard Sgt. Paul Holland Mr. Dominic D’Arcy Bagpiper	I am writing at this time to express our deep personal gratitude to you and the very special Ottawa Police members for your tremendous support on the occasion of my husband’s death (OPS Detective Jay Hitchins). At this time of great personal loss, I understand how important the Ottawa Police ‘family’ is to each other and to all of us; the spouses and the children…You and your officers demonstrated your love, support and caring for Jay and his family in our time of great need. …We thank you and your fellow officers for the comfort and caring that you gave to me and my sons at this sad time of loss of our beloved father and husband.
Member of the Public	Cst. Brent MacIntyre Cst. Mitch Houle	I am writing this letter to express my views about the professional and excellent work of your two officers. I found that both were caring, thorough and effective… I am an educated, hard-working woman, and have not been victim to a crime before – and certainly was shocked by this crime. However, I can safely say that it has been made a much more tolerable experience due to the work of your officers.
Member of the Public	Cst. John Svab Cst. Dawn Neilly	I am writing to thank Cst. Svab and Cst. Neilly for everything they did for my daughter. Their prompt response and reaction to the situation obviously provided her with the basis from which the medical staff could start and have resulted in such a fortunate recovery for her….The actions of your two officers and the responding firemen and ambulance personnel and her roommate have given my daughter that chance and I hope that she repays all of you by taking full advantage of everything that is out there for her to achieve a complete recovery.
Member of the Public	Cst. Wayne Niemi	My family and I would like to thank your police service and in particular Detective Wayne Niemi for his professionalism, patience, fullest assistance and compassion expressed during this very difficult time regarding the sudden death of my son.
S/Sgt. Norm Boucher RCMP	Sr. Cst. Mike Prud’homme	I would like to express my most sincere gratitude to the Ottawa City Police members who responded to the snowmobiling accident on the Rideau River. I would especially like to thank Sr. Cst. Mike Prud’homme for his decisive action, at a time when the situation appeared hopeless and under very risky conditions, in assisting me to pull the person out of the water. My wife and I remain grateful for the caring and professional manner in which the members of the Ottawa City Police helped us through this tragic event.
Mrs. Barbara Goble Ottawa	Chief Bevan Traffic Escort Unit	I would like to take this opportunity to express my thanks for the funeral escort provided for my husband. The professionalism and discretion shown by your staff was an unexpected tribute to my husband. Their ability to coordinate the traffic with seemingly little effort was truly remarkable. We, as a family, were deeply touched and honoured by the quiet salute afforded by your officers as we entered the cemetery.
Ms. Doris Bronstein Director, Hillel Academy	Cst. Brad Tierney	I wish to inform you that Cst Brad Tierney has always met the needs of the students of Hillel Academy. His presentations to the students of grades 1 to 6 on the topics of verbal and physical bullying, aggressive behaviours and respect for their peers and adults are always well received. His talks with our grades 7 & 8 on ‘Choosing the right friends’ or inappropriate behaviours has always made an impact. The constable’s attention to special situations is so very much appreciated. His assistance in these matters are important in the life lessons we teach to our young students.
Ms. Ruth Waters Algonquin College	Cst. Maria Amber Cst. Stephanie Perkins	Our Language Training for Newcomers to Canada students were privileged to have a visit from Constables Amber and Perkins, to hear a presentation on the Canadian Legal System and the role of the police in Canada and to have many questions answered. The students enjoyed and appreciated the visit very much.
Jim Becksted Bolton, On.	Cst. Stephane Valin Cst Craig Roberts	My wife and I were skating on the canal when she fell and subsequently broke her wrist…It was a traumatic experience so far from home…In this day and age where the Police seem to get more complaints than compliments, it was truly heartwarming to be treated with the utmost care and concern from these 2 laudable officers…Please convey my heartfelt appreciation to them for their professionalism going above and beyond the call of duty.