OCRPS MEMORANDUM

During the transition process, public meetings were held in each affected municipality to brief residents on the services provided by the Ottawa-Carleton Regional Police Service. A commitment was made to match previous police resources for the first year to ensure continuity and stability. After the first year, it was understood that an evaluation would be undertaken to ensure that identified policing requirements were being met.

Between 1995 and 2001, the Ottawa-Carleton Regional Police Service provided police services, utilizing the District Policing Model, throughout the entire region. In May of 2000, Chief Bevan directed that a review of the District Model be undertaken. As part of this review, 20 strategic planning focus groups were formed. The organization also conducted an evaluation of the “rural policing” concept. The results of the focus group’s evaluation confirmed a need to restructure the way we provide services to meet the unique requirements of the rural residents. At the conclusion of the service delivery model review, a dedicated approach to rural policing was identified and incorporated into the new service delivery model.

The new service delivery model implemented in January of 2001 resulted in the creation of three divisions within the City boundaries. Rural East and Rural West were also established. Rural West consists of the former Townships of Rideau, Goulbourn, West Carleton, as well as parts of Nepean and Kanata. Rural East consists of the former municipalities of Osgoode and Cumberland. The current staffing of Rural West and Rural East consists of 1 Staff Sergeant, 6 Sergeants, 30 Constables, Neighbourhood / Community Police Constables and administrative support. The new service delivery model identified the rural constable as a “generalist officer” who is responsible for all facets of his/her duties including the investigation of criminal and traffic offences, specialized enforcement and the utilization of problem-oriented policing (POP) to resolve community issues. Rural West and Rural East are divided into 4 zones and they are staffed on a 24 hour / 7 day a week basis. The current shift schedule provides an overlap period between 9:15 p.m. and 2:15 a.m. when there are two platoons working. This creates an opportunity to re-deploy officers to better respond to community concerns such as snowmobile/all terrain vehicle complaints, problem solving and crime prevention initiatives.

The rural districts are further supported by various centralized support units such as Major Crime, Sexual Assault /Child Abuse, Partner Assault, Traffic Collision Reconstructionists, Tactical Unit, Drug Unit and other specialized units. Rural Districts are also served by new and seasonal initiatives such as the Marine Patrol and the successful “Youth on the Move” venture.

The chart on page 3 reflects police staffing levels pre and post amalgamation. The information was made available through Corporate Services, and the New Service Delivery Model Report. The chart will reflect various positions as “shared”, which means that position has responsibilities in more than one former municipality. An example is the Staff Sergeant’s position. He/she manages police personnel that deliver service in more than one area within the Rural West or Rural East District. In most cases, rural policing zones are very similar to rural ward boundaries, but there are some councillors who have a small rural component within their respective sub-urban ward.

Rural Police Staffing Profile

Ontario Provincial Police

Ottawa Police Service

Ward/

Zone

Year/

Totals

Breakdown

2002

Totals

Breakdown

West Carleton

(1101/1102)

July 1999

14 Constables

2 Sergeants

1 S/Sergeant (s)

1 CPC

12 Constables

6 Sergeants (s)

1 S/Sergeant (s)

1 CPC/NHO (s)

Goulbourn

(1103)

July 1999

12 Constables

1 Sergeant

6 Constables

6 Sergeants (s)

1 S/Sergeant (s)

1 CPC/NHO (s)

Rideau

(1104)

July 1998

16.5

14 Constables

2 Sergeants

1 CPC (s)

6 Constables

6 Sergeants (s)

1 S/Sergeant (s)

1 CPC/NHO (s)

Osgoode

(3601/3602)

July 1998

16.5

14 Constables

2 Sergeants

1 CPC (s)

12 Constables

6 Sergeants (s)

1 S/Sergeant (s)

1 CPC/NHO (s)

Cumberland

(3603/3604)

January 1998

24 Constables

3 Sergeants

1 S/Sergeant

1 CPC

12 Constables

6 Sergeants (s)

1 S/Sergeant (s)

1 CPC/NHO (s)

Note: (s) indicates shared position

Current Staffing Initiatives:

As the result of an organization-wide review of staffing assignments, an additional 12 constable positions have been identified for Rural West and Rural East - six each. These additional resources will further support the rural policing model and enhance our ability to provide the necessary policing services to meet the specific requirements of the rural areas.

It is anticipated that the ongoing review of the Patrol Shift Schedule, due to be completed and implemented effective January 2003, will further increase the effectiveness and efficiency of our patrol response.

CONCLUSION

The Ottawa Police Service is confident that the Service Delivery Model review and subsequent changes to policing have improved the level of service provided within the rural areas of Ottawa. The proposed increase in staff for 2003 will allow managers more flexibility in dealing with community problems and specific issues. As well, with the amalgamation of all city services, more resources than ever before are available to rural officers to utilize when incorporating problem oriented policing techniques. This level of service, combined with ongoing partnership development with rural stakeholders to deal with specific community concerns, should achieve the goals set out in the Mission Statement of the Ottawa Police Service.

Vince Bevan

Chief of Police

DATE:	September 17, 2002
TO:	Executive Director, Ottawa Police Services Board
FROM:	Chief of Police, Ottawa Police Service
SUBJECT:	POLICE SERVICES IN THE RURAL AREAS OF THE CITY OF OTTAWA

REPORT

RAPPORT

BACKGROUND

CONCLUSION