On behalf of Mayor Nicholds, Councillor R. Rutkowski welcomed the Board to Kanata and thanked them for giving residents the opportunity to address them about the transition process.

Deputy Chief A. Mackie explained the purpose of the presentation is to outline the transition, review the community’s concerns, describe the services and operations of the Ottawa-Carleton Regional Police Service (OCRPS) and answer questions. He provided some background on the unification process and an update on the transition activities. In particular, he indicated the Transition Team’s planning activities are on-going, a District Inspector has been identified, the Transition Team has begun holding community meetings and joint operations will begin in late June 1999. He stated that 16 OPP officers and 4 civilians will transfer to the OCRPS upon transition and the Service expects to receive internal expressions of interest in mid-January. He indicated the Service originally looked at the possibility of sharing space with the OPP but that did not prove feasible. Staff are looking for a facility in Kanata and hope to have a location identified before the July transition.

He noted some of the policing concerns identified in Kanata include break and enters, traffic enforcement, road safety, youth issues, and police visibility. To address those concerns, he listed the services that would be on-site in Kanata including patrol and emergency response officers, a District Inspector, a Community Liaison Officer, as well as traffic and investigation services. He noted that through its link to West Division, the district will have access to a Superintendent, a patrol Inspector, a patrol Staff Sergeant, additional patrol officers, a break and enter team, School Resource Officers, a traffic section and a criminal investigations section. Also available as required will be specialty support sections such as major crime, youth, tactical, crowd control, canine, marine, sexual assault/child abuse, underwater, drugs, auto theft, traffic services, a volunteer coordinator, and victim services.

He introduced the newly appointed District Inspector, Inspector Ron Lamothe, who will be responsible for overseeing policing activities within the district, liaising with elected officials and community groups, monitoring trends, accessing required resources and working in partnership to resolve community issues.

Deputy Chief Mackie explained the emergency response services that will be available to Kanata include uniform officers on duty around the clock, officers assigned specifically to patrol, enforcement, and response to calls for assistance. He stated that from 9:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m., during a shift overlap, the number of officers on patrol will double. He explained there will be four patrol zones in the City with officers reporting to the new Kanata station at shift changes. He noted Greenbank will serve as an interim station until the new facility is operational. Patrol activities will be coordinated by a Staff Sergeant who will monitor activities and adjust resources as required.

He explained the role of the Community Liaison Officer is to work with community volunteers, support the crime prevention programs, address community issues and concerns, and access central resources as required. The Community Liaison Officer will be available on flexible hours and will work from the Community Police Centre at the Hazeldean Mall.

Deputy Chief Mackie described some of the crime prevention and awareness activities of the OCRPS. The Service delivers programs and presentations on topics such as home security checks, neighbourhood watch, block parent programs, an Alzheimer registry, bike registration, streetproofing, personal security, child abuse, vandalism, and women traveling alone. To address youth issues, the Service employs school resource officers, youth investigators and a range of programs targeting youth. With respect to traffic issues, he explained that in addition to having a unit of officers assigned specifically to traffic enforcement, all patrol officers do traffic enforcement. The Service also employs specialized traffic investigators to investigate accidents, and collision centres are utilized when a car is drivable and there are no personal injuries. He described some of the Service’s seasonal policing activities such as bicycle and motorcycle patrols.

In closing, Deputy Chief Mackie stressed that the Ottawa-Carleton Regional Police Service is committed to on-going consultation with community groups and residents as well as elected officials.

2. COMMUNITY DELEGATIONS

Mr. B. Lyon inquired about the interim facility at Greenbank Road and the use of a collision reporting centre in Kanata. Chief Ford responded that negotiations for a Kanata facility are well underway and staff are very close to making a presentation to the Board on that issue. He noted the Cumberland site will be ready in two years. Depending on the site chosen, things may proceed more quickly in Kanata if an existing building is selected. With respect to the issue of a collision reporting centre in Kanata, Deputy Chief Mackie expected that ultimately, every community served by the OCRPS would have its own centre but in the interim, the Greenbank Road facility would serve that need.

Councillor S. McKee, City of Kanata noted the good working partnership City Council enjoys with the OPP and wondered how that would be carried through with the OCRPS. Deputy Chief Mackie re-iterated the Service’s commitment to working with the community, including members of City Council. Superintendent P. Moyle indicated he regularly meets with members of the City of Nepean and he committed to doing the same in the City of Kanata. He also indicated that part of the District Inspector’s role is to liaise with elected officials.

In response to questions from a resident with respect to internal discipline, Superintendent P. Cuthbert indicated the Ontario Police Services Act outlines the process for dealing with complaints. He explained that when a complaint is received, an investigation is conducted and a report is filed within six months. The report goes to the Chief and if he concurs with the findings, the report is forwarded to the complainant. In addition, quarterly reports go to the Board. He offered to meet privately with the inquirer to discuss his specific complaint further.

Regional Councillor A. Munter noted there is a great deal of appreciation for OPP in Kanata. He indicated that because the City of Kanata had a contract with the OPP, there was a real sense of ownership and no shyness in asking for things. He was delighted with the percentage of transfers and believed it would make the transition easier. He indicated that in watching some of the previous transitions, he has been pleased to see that all commitments have been met. With respect to the Kanata facility, he noted a report would soon be going to the Board and he expressed support for a site near the town centre. He thanked the Board for its decisions with regard to the hiring of new officers for Kanata and the lease at Hazeldean Mall. In closing, he noted that residents of Kanata are particularly involved and interested and justifiably more demanding of political officials.

Ms. E. McLennan, Chair, Kanata Traffic Safety Committee, thanked the Board for taking the time to inform residents on the plans for the upcoming transition into the City of Kanata. She felt the transition would create some concern and uncertainty for residents who have developed a high regard for the OPP.

She explained that the Kanata Traffic Safety Committee was formed in response to the high frequency of complaints from residents about traffic related problems. The committee has three main components to its mandate: to develop and implement educational programs in an effort to raise awareness of road safety; to consult with the City’s Public Works Service Group regarding possible solutions to site-specific safety issues; and to work with the local police to help increase the effectiveness of enforcement efforts and provide a forum for regular interaction and cooperation between the City and the police.

She noted the traffic problems of high priority for residents and the committee include speeding, school zone safety, stop sign violations, running red-lights, and pathway safety for pedestrians and cyclists. She indicated the committee’s program plan for the next year will rely heavily on public education through road safety events, advertisements and articles. She believed many road safety events depend directly on police participation and stressed the importance of a police presence at all events. In addition to its educational campaign, the committee is currently addressing the need for an effective mid-block crossing design and examining how the Community Safe Zone legislation can be implemented in Kanata. In closing, she requested information on the Service’s policy relating to traffic enforcement and wondered how the committee would fit into the OCRPS operations.

Deputy Chief Mackie re-iterated there will be traffic officers assigned specifically to Kanata. He believed the committee would fit in very well with the community policing model being implemented in the new year.

Ms. R. Shields, Acting Vice Principal, Roland Mitchener School, expressed concern about the relationship students have with police officers. She wished to see more police presence in school to foster respect and provide positive role models. She hoped their successful VIP program would be continued through the OCRPS school resource officer program. Deputy Chief Mackie indicated there will be 2 school resource officers assigned to Kanata. He also confirmed the continuation of the VIP program.

In response to a question from Regional Councillor Munter, Superintendent Moyle indicated the City of Kanata will be a district onto itself. With respect to the four patrol zones referred to in the presentation, he explained the zones have not yet been determined and staff will be seeking input on that.

On behalf of Mayor Nicholds, Councillor R. Rutkowski thanked the Board for honoring all of its commitments so far, and hoped it would continue to do so.

Chair Vice thanked members of City Council, staff and residents for attending and indicated the OCRPS and the Board hope to serve the community at least as well as the OPP have.

ADJOURNMENT