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REPORT RAPPORT |
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DATE: |
19 May 2009 |
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TO: |
Executive Director, Ottawa Police Services Board |
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FROM: |
Chief of Police, Ottawa Police Service |
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SUBJECT: |
LETTERS
OF COMMENDATION |
RECOMMENDATION
That the Ottawa
Police Services Board receive this report for information.
BACKGROUND
Attached for the information of the Board are excerpts from letters of appreciation / thanks received from the public, since the last regular meeting, for services rendered by members of the Ottawa Police Service.
Vern White,
Chief of Police
Attach. (1)
LETTERS
OF COMMENDATION
Date
Received: 01 April 2009
From: Member
of the Public
OPS Members: Constable
Jeff Shields, Constable Jennifer Mason, Constable Edward Barry, and Constable
Barbara Babcock
Excerpts from Letter: I would like to thank the Ottawa Police officers who made
our experience with the law so caring and compassionate. I would also like to thank the detective on
duty and the officer who escorted our son into court and after his
release. It was very much appreciated.
Date Received: 07 April 2009
From: Canadian Police College
OPS Member: Constable
Stuart Marshall
Excerpts from
Letter: I would like to thank
the Ottawa Police Service for continued support of the Canadian Police College
in the delivery of intelligence training to law enforcement. In particular, we would like to recognize
the contribution of Constable Marshall of your Crime Analysis Unit. Constable Marshall, not only as a regular
lecturer on the Tactical Intelligence Analysis course but by virtue of his
commitment to crime analysis and intelligence training, has been active in a
number of recent initiatives at the Canadian Police College. Constable Marshall was additionally
consulted as part of the development of the course-long exercises that provided
applied learning throughout the course.
On behalf of the Canadian Police College, I would like to thank the
Ottawa Police Service for consistently providing excellent resources, such as
Constable Marshall, in support of our efforts to deliver quality training.
From: Ministry of the Attorney General
OPS Member: Sergeant Greg Brown
Excerpts from Letter:
On September 21,
2006, an innocent man named Michael Oatway was brutally murdered while riding
home on a City of Ottawa bus. Mr.
Oatway lost his life simply because he refused to hand over his “IPOD” to a
group of assailants attempting to rob him of it. While we have come to expect high standards from homicide
investigators, we both agreed that it was our duty in this case to alert you to
the extraordinary skill and work of Sergeant Brown, without which the result in
this case would not have been possible.
Sergeant Brown excelled at every aspect of his duties in this case. At the outset of the investigation, he was
able to successfully interview one of the accused assailants and elicit from
him, evidence that proved critical to the case. In many years of prosecuting homicides, we have never experienced
greater professionalism and skill in a homicide investigator. On behalf of the Ministry of the Attorney
General, thank you for the superb work by Sergeant Brown and his colleagues in
this case.
Date Received: 10 April 2009
From: Member
of the Public
OPS Member: Constable Stephen McDougall
Excerpts from
Email: I was informed by a
member of my staff that he had received a call from an Ottawa Police officer advising the National Capital Commission
had recovered some stolen items from the Rideau Canal. The officer had personally contacted our
contractor to retrieve the stolen banner and banner pole. Constable McDougall informed me that he was
on his day off, and not to worry. Constable McDougall was pleased to take the
time to inform me on the situation and answer all my questions.
Date Received: 10 April 2009
From: Member
of the Public
OPS Member: Constable
Todd Harding
Excerpts from
Email: I recently had the opportunity to discuss an issue with
Constable Harding from the Sexual Assault & Child Abuse Section. Constable Harding’s professionalism and
genuine concern left me with a sense of peace in making a difficult decision to
report an incident of what appeared to be child abuse. The complaints seem to reach us in record
time. Hats off to Constable Harding.
From: Member of the Public
OPS Members: OPS Members
Excerpts from Email:
Just wanted to
shout a “big thanks” for assigning Ottawa Police officers to Prince of Wales
Drive (between Woodroffe Avenue and Jockvale Road). I drive to the park and ride every day, and let me tell you, it’s
the Indy 500 on that section of road.
Thank you for the great work.
Date Received: 10 April 2009
From: Member
of the Public
OPS Members: OPS
Members
Excerpts from
Email: Thank you for caring about Vanier. Your dedication in cleaning up Vanier of illegal
activities is much appreciated.
Date Received: 10 April 2009
From: Member
of the Public
OPS Member: Constable Reinhard Lechleitner
Excerpts from
Email: I would like to extend my compliments and appreciation to
Constable Lechleitner who attended a call at Osgoode Township High School.
Constable Lechleitner was patient and sensitive in his dealings with our
students, handled the situation very well and processed it quickly and
thoroughly. Constable Lechleitner’s
quick courteous and thorough response has helped us immensely in dealing with a
difficult situation.
Date Received: 10 April 2009
From: Member
of the Public
OPS Member: Constable James Casey
Excerpts from
Email: I would like to express
my compliments and gratitude to Constable Casey. I ran out of gas on the 417, and having forgotten my cell phone,
I couldn’t call roadside assistance.
Traffic was zooming at high-speed on both sides of my vehicle, leaving
one feeling particularly precarious.
Fortunately, Constable Casey arrived, called for roadside assistance,
and stayed with me until help arrived.
I feel a compliment is warranted, as Constable Casey was quite
outstanding in being personable, considerate, and good-natured. I cannot imagine how any officer could
better represent the Ottawa Police Service or leave a better impression in the
minds of the public. Constable Casey
deserves kudos.
Date Received: 10 April 2009
From: Member
of the Public
OPS Members: Staff Sergeant Michael Maloney, Constable Daniel
Levesque and Constable Alain Boucher
Excerpts from
Email: I am currently a student
at Carleton University, studying in my second year in their Criminology and
Criminal Justice Program. I am
currently writing an essay on Use of Tasers by police officers, and I have
contacted a few officers with the Ottawa Police Service in hopes of receiving
any statements or insights they had about this sensitive issue. I originally contacted Constable Levesque
who was kind enough to direct me to the Media Relations Section, where I spoke
to Constable Boucher, who was kind enough to speak to Staff Sergeant Maloney on
my behalf and inform him of my inquiries.
I would like to extend my gratitude and appreciation to these officers
for addressing my questions and for so promptly replying so as to ensure I was
properly informed. Every officer or
staff member with the Ottawa Police Services, in my experience, has made every
effort possible to accommodate members of the public and maintain community
awareness. I’d just like to express my
thanks and appreciation to them.
Date Received: 10 April 2009
From: Member
of the Public
OPS Members: OPS Members
Excerpts from
Email: Thank you for stopping
traffic on the Vanier Parkway to give priority to a fallen hero.
Date Received: 11 April 2009
From: Member
of the Public
OPS Member: Special Constable Aline De la Rosa
Excerpts from
Email: I inadvertently forgot
my purse in a Zellers shopping cart. I
attended Tim Horton’s for a coffee, realized what I had done and rushed back to
Zellers. As I passed each cashier, I
asked if someone had turned in a purse. They responded “no” at which point I
was directed to customer service.
Waiting there was an angel. With
tears in my eyes, I thanked Special Constable De la Rosa and offered her a
reward which she flatly refused. I am
so grateful.
Date Received: 13 April 2009
From: Member
of the Public
OPS Members: Constable David Cameron, Constable Sean Convey
and Constable David Dewar
Excerpts from
Email: I work at the Somerset
West Community Health Centre and noticed that one of our clients was sitting on
the bench in front of our centre. I approached her and was immediately aware
that she was very intoxicated and sobbing. After some consideration, I decided
to call the Ottawa Police. Three officers attended the scene. Both my colleague and myself were very
impressed with Constable Convey.
Constable Convey was exceptional in the way he conducted himself with
our obviously very distraught client.
Constable Convey was compassionate and patient with our client.
Date Received: 14 April 2009
From: Member
of the Public
OPS Members: Acting Staff Sergeant Michael O’Reilley,
Constable Greg Swrjeski, and Constable Sheelah Lusk
Excerpts from
Email: This is to thank you and
(pay) tribute to all the people who are there for us through the night while
most of us are sound asleep. My family
recently had a reminder of the things we should be thankful for when our
otherwise happy, normal life got turned up side down. After a day spent enjoying the first signs of spring, and our
first bike ride, we tucked our 5 year old into bed like any other night. Four hours later, he awoke struggling to
breathe, and minutes later stopped breathing and had a seizure. Without any warning, our son’s airway
collapsed. It is an impressive sight to
see the response you receive when you call for your child who’s stopped
breathing. We should all be thankful
that despite whatever else may be happening in the news, we live in a city
where we have dedicated professionals.
Date Received: 14 April 2009
From: Member
of the Public
OPS Member: OPS Member
Excerpts from
Email: I have been meaning to
compliment one of your officers for about a year now. I was walking west on Somerset Street on my way home from the
grocery store, and up ahead of me there was a young male who was more than
likely high on something as he was yelling at passing cars and veering all over
the sidewalk. On principle, I don’t
cross the street or turn back to avoid such people since this is my neighbourhood.
I was about fifteen feet away from the guy, when a police officer arrived, and
called him over. The guy calmed down
really fast and was still talking to the officer when I passed him. I was really happy to see the officer that
day. The officer could have just driven
by, oblivious to what was going on, but instead he was watching and he stopped.
Date Received: 17 April 2009
From: Member
of the Public
OPS Members: Sergeant Robert Drummond, Sergeant Gina Rosa,
Sergeant Leslie Jutasi, Constable Neil White, Constable Keith Hihnala and Constable
Christopher Carr
Excerpts from
Email: I am sending you this
letter to say “thank you” to all the officers that attended my place of
residence. My son stopped breathing
while we were sleeping on the couch.
Unfortunately, there was nothing anyone could do for him. It’s been six months since my son has
passed, and I have gone through a variety of emotions and replayed that morning
over and over again. Every time I replay
everything, the one thing that stands out, is how amazing the officers were.
Date Received: 21 April 2009
From: Member
of the Public
OPS Member: Constable Bradley Brown
Excerpts from
Letter: I am compelled to write
this letter following the extraordinary assistance I received from Constable
Brown. I was returning from Calgary and
discovered that I had left my brand new laptop in a restaurant in the departure
area of the Calgary Airport. Once I
arrived in Ottawa, I contacted the Air Canada staff who refused to assist me in
any way. Upon learning of the
situation, Constable Brown got my particulars and went to his office to see if
he could help. Constable Brown quickly
contacted his counterparts at the Calgary Airport and within 10 minutes, my
laptop was located where I had left it.
Constable Brown arranged to have it shipped out from the lost and found
department and in two days, I received my laptop. Constable Brown saved me from having to purchase a new
computer. I am deeply grateful to him
and in my estimation, he has brought great credit to the Ottawa Police Service.
Date Received: 21 April 2009
From: Ministry
of Community Safety and Correctional Services
OPS Member: Staff Sergeant Lawrence Colotelo
Excerpts from
Letter: On behalf of the
Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services, I would like to
congratulate you as you retire after 34 years of successful service with the
Ottawa Police Service. Public safety in
Ontario owes much to dedicated people like you, who devote countless hours to
ensuring that police services meet the high standards expected by the public. I trust that you will look back on your many
achievements with much pride and satisfaction.
Please accept my best wishes for a happy, healthy and well-deserved
retirement.
Date Received: 22 April 2009
From: Member
of the Public
OPS Members: Sergeant Wayne Bell and Constable Carleigh
Fuller
Excerpts from Letter:
I wish to express our deepest gratitude and sincere thanks to Sergeant Bell and
Constable Fuller. Their professional
services and caring commitment rendered to us were greatly appreciated. Sadly, my 911 call was concerning the sudden
death of my husband. We were very
privileged to have at out disposition the high expertise of you, Chief White
and the outstanding dedication of your wonderful staff.
Date Received: 22 April 2009
From: Inspector Raymond
Duquette, Canadian Police College
OPS Members: Constable Paul Burnett, Constable Marc Clement
Excerpts from Letter: On behalf of the Canadian Police College, I would like to take this opportunity to express our most sincere appreciation to your department for allowing Constable Burnett and Constable Clement time off to lecture on the Incident Commander Course. Constable Burnett and Constable Clement came to the attention of the Course Coordinator through inquiries at your Police Tactical Team, and were recommended by Acting Staff Sergeant Jeff Kilcollins of the Tactical Team. Constable Burnett’s and Constable Clement’s participation and dedication to Police education is both a compliment to them and the Ottawa Police Service.
Date Received: 22 April 2009
From: Member
of the Public
OPS Members: Constable Brenda Kerr and Constable Jorge
Mendonca
Excerpts from Email: I had the good fortune of sitting in on a talk give by Constable Kerr and Constable Mendonca on the topic of “Top 10 Scams of 2009”. Constable Kerr and Constable Mendonca were very energetic and professional.
Date Received: 27 April 2009
From: Member
of the Public
OPS Members: Constable Sandro Mazzarotti and Constable Keith
Waucaush
Excerpts from Letter: We would like to express our gratitude to the Ottawa Police Force in general and especially to Constable Mazzarotti and Constable Waucaush for saving my son’s life. Our son attempted to take his own life. Partly to the luck of timing, Constable Mazzarotti and Constable Waucaush saved his life. We are saved from an enormous sorrow and are expressing our greatest respect and many thanks to you all.
Date Received: 01 May 2009
From: Member
of the Public
OPS Member: Constable Franco Sacco
Excerpts from Email: Constable Sacco, our recovered stolen vehicle was delivered last night. Once again, thank you for your hard work because we never thought we would see it again.
Date Received: 04 May 2009
From: Ministry
of Community Safety and Correctional Services
OPS Members: Staff Sergeant John Medeiros and OPS Members
Excerpts from Letter: I would like to take this opportunity to recognize and thank Staff Sergeant Medeiros and his staff for including Probation and Parole Officers in the Ottawa Police Services Diversity and Race Relations training. We have very much appreciated the two joint training opportunities and all the work that went into making these days a success.
Date Received: 04 May 2009
From: Ministry of Community Safety & Correctional
Services
OPS Members: Elizabeth Monachan and Lou D’Ascenzo
Excerpts from Letter: I would like to thank the Ottawa Police Service for hosting the 2009 Spring Workshop. I would be remiss in not recognizing the dedication and hard work of Elizabeth Monachan and Lou D’Ascenzo who attended to every detail to ensure the seamless running of the Workshop. Based on evaluations, I can tell you that their efforts went a long way in making this Workshop a huge success
Date Received: 11 May 2009
From: Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police
Networking Committee
OPS Member: Constable Christopher Benson
Excerpts from Letter: I
would like to recognize the efforts of Constable Benson and the Provincial
Weapons Enforcement Unit. Constable
Benson attended our Annual Frontline Officer Conference. Constable Benson and another member of the
Provincial Weapons Enforcement Unit delivered a 90 minute lecture on
legislation and officer safety in relation to weapons. I would remiss if I did not thank you for
your support and for allowing Constable Benson to attend the conference and
share his knowledge and expertise with others.
Please convey our thanks and appreciation to Constable Benson for a job
well done.