DATE:	17 March 2003
TO:	Executive Director, Ottawa Police Services Board
FROM:	Director General, Ottawa Police Service
SUBJECT:	OTTAWA POLICE SERVICE HERALDIC CREST

RECOMMENDATION

That the Ottawa Police Services Board receive this report for information.

BACKGROUND

The Ottawa Police Service’s Heraldic crest forms the basis for the organization’s overall corporate identity. The process to obtain a Heraldic crest started on 29 January 2001 when the Police Services Board carried a motion to request from Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, the granting of a Heraldic crest for the Police Service.

DISCUSSION

In September 2002, our organization received letters patent (final approval) for the Heraldic crest. This update was given in a verbal report at the 27 January 2003 Police Services Board meeting.

At the centre of the Heraldic crest is the shield of the arms of the City of Ottawa, originally granted by Garter King of Arms in 1954 and registered at the Canadian Heraldic Authority in 1990. Around it is a blue circlet with a gold outline and the bilingual police service motto in gold. Above this is the royal crown, which will be used with the personal approval of the Queen, and encircling the rest of it is a wreath of gold maple leaves, eleven on each side to indicate the eleven municipalities that amalgamated to form the new City of Ottawa. At the bottom is a white trillium, the provincial flower. Below the badge is a blue motto scroll with the words “Ottawa Police” in gold.

The Ottawa Police Service Heraldic crest has few, but very specific uses. It is used as the hat badge, on the dress uniform belt buckle, on the Police Service flag, used to authenticate the Police Service’s highest official documents, such as legal documents, and on our organization’s highest-level commendations.

CONSULTATION

Throughout the process, there was both internal and public consultation and information sharing.

As part of the internal consultation process, the Corporate Identity Project work group gathered member input on important corporate identity issues.

Public information has been provided through the Police Services Board and its regular meetings.

Other key stakeholders consulted included the Police Services Board, the Canadian Heraldic Authority, the Police Associations, and the City of Ottawa’s Emergency and Protective Services and Corporate Communications Departments.

FINANCIAL STATEMENT

The costs associated with the heraldic process have included:

· A fixed fee of $435 sent with the original request;

· $800.00 to prepare concept renderings of armorial bearings;

· $1944.00 for the preparation of finished artwork of the armorial bearings for a Letters Patent document;

· $1161.00 for the preparation of calligraphy for the Letters Patent document.

Total: $4340.00 (plus GST)

Financial provisions for the new Heraldic Crest were accounted for in the 2001 budget cycle – money was set aside in the OPS Transition Budget (900567) to cover expenses relating to the design and production of the new Heraldic Crest. The total amount was allocated over two years.

CONCLUSION

The aim of the Corporate Identity Project is to develop a strong corporate identity that expresses our approach to service, our values and our culture. It is reflected in everything from the quality of our services, internal and external communications, to working environment. As part of our new corporate identity, the Ottawa Police Heraldic crest makes us special and unique within the City of Ottawa and among other police agencies.

__________________________

Debra Frazer

Director General

___________________________

Vince Bevan

Chief of Police