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REPORT RAPPORT |
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DATE: |
03 December 2008 |
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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.
(Original
signed by D/C Larochelle on behalf of)
Vern White,
Chief of Police
Attach. (1)
LETTERS
OF COMMENDATION
Date Received: 01 November 2008
From: Members
of the Public
OPS Member: Constable
Allen Percival, Constable Marc Daviault and OPS Beat Squad
Excerpts from Letter: I am writing to sincerely thank you for your extraordinary efforts yesterday. While the Salvation Army has always had a stellar relationship with the Ottawa Police Service, I was absolutely overwhelmed by the generosity demonstrated yesterday toward 5 of our shared clients. Allen Percival and Marc Daviault, Constables from the Beat Squad, have an impressive understanding of homelessness and a genuine concern and interest to lend a hand. I cannot thank you enough for providing a van and allowing Allen and Marc to retrieve, deliver and set up 5 beds for clients in two locations. I witnessed a few raised eyebrows from the Public whom caught a glimpse of Officers carrying beds into apartments and know that they too have a whole new respect for OPS. On behalf of Housing Response Team and our 5 shared clients, thank you for truly going above and beyond. We are encouraged by the partnership that was formed yesterday and look forward to working with you in the future.
Date Received: 06 November 2008
From: Member
of the Public
OPS Member: Constable
Kevin Bradford
Excerpts from Letter: I note from your website that you appreciate receiving information regarding a member of the Ottawa Police Service going above and beyond the call of duty. This is, of course, important and should be recognized. However, I believe that an Officer should also be complimented for the performance of their normal daily responsibilities when he or she performs them in a very courteous and professional manner. Such is the case of Officer K. Bradford, Officer #1687. Officer Bradford issued me a speeding ticket on November 8, 2008. The ticket was justified and deserved, and the fine will be paid immediately. What struck me was the manner in which Officer Bradford dealt with me. Rather than being preachy and overbearing, he was courteous and polite. He did not treat a 60-year old man like a truant schoolboy who should be spoken down to and in need of a firm hand. I’m sure that you may find this email more than a little odd – a speeder complimenting the Officer who ticketed him – however, as you well know, image is important and Officer Bradford exemplified the image that I feel should be portrayed i.e.: courteous, professional and human. We need more Officers with these qualities.
Date Received: 06 November 2008
From: Member of the Public
OPS Member: Constable Keith Martin and Constable Scott Herriot
Excerpts from Letter: I wish to thank the prompt response to my 9-1-1
call on 31 October around 10:30
p.m. Vandals had thrown a large rock
through my bedroom picture window and generally did “mischief” to the patio and
side veranda – As I live alone, I was quite upset. Two constables answered the call and sorted things out. One, Cst. Herriot #1783, was wonderful. He stayed (in his cruiser) until the wood
installer arrived. He was very assuring
and I am very appreciative indeed for their prompt response and the efficient
and assuring way they handled the problem.
P.S. I didn’t get the other constable’s name as he left before I got my
wits back!
Date Received: 08 November 2008
From: Member
of the Public
OPS Member: Constable
Emmanuel Diafwila
Excerpts from
Letter: I am writing this letter so that you are
aware of the exemplary level of service, over the past few weeks, that I have
received from one of your officers, Constable Emmanuel Diafwila. During the summer I was having vandalism
problems from neighbourhood teenagers.
For reasons I cannot explain I did not contact Police Services until the
fifth vandalism had occurred. After a
brief discussion with me and other neighbours, who had witnessed some of the
vandalism events, Constable Diafwila advised how he was going to proceed with
the investigation, how he could be reached, and when I could expect to hear back
from him. I provided Constable Diafwila
with an address that was known to be the residence of at least one of the
vandals in question and he quickly visited the family of that residence. From there he learned of two other
residences where other involved teens resided and spoke with their
families. He also visited the local
high school, St. Marks, to speak with the Principal and other school staff
regarding the teens in question. I
understand from Constable Diafwila that he will continue to monitor my area and
specifically any similar occurrences that may suggest that these teens are
involved. This is the first time that I
have required the services of the Ottawa Police and I must say I am very
impressed with how Constable Diafwila followed through with his
investigation. I write to you today as
I appreciate what Constable Diafwila has done for my family and wish to
recognize him for his efforts.
Date Received: 10 November 2008
From: Member
of the Public
OPS Members: Constable
Kevin Birmingham and Rural West OPS Officers
Excerpts from Letter: I am writing today to thank your department for the professional and restrained way they dealt with me last Monday (3 November 2008). The officer who arrested me in Constance Bay, the two officers who transported me, the one who took my breath sample (twice), the one who searched me and in particular the desk sergeant who had to deal with my thoughtless, inappropriate and regrettable behaviour did so in a professional, efficient and thoughtful way. Please thank them for me. I am manic-depressive (have bipolar disorder). I had very poor judgement, I complicated the officers’ jobs by telling them lies (e.g. I have children at home) and I know from my family and friends that I am intolerable in that state. Please apologize to the officers on my behalf for my behaviour.
Date Received: 13 November 2008
From: Members
from Whitechapel Crescent
OPS Member: Sergeant
Debbie Miller and Constable Stephanie Blades
Excerpts from Letter: We, the residents of Whitechapel Crescent would like to take the opportunity to thank officers Debbie Miller and Stephanie Blades for taking the time to sensitize the residents of our street on the issues of personal and community security. The presentation, which took place on Friday, November 7, 2008, was very informative. We are a growing community with development happening all around us – the latest being a high school which is under construction. We have many young families with children who often play outdoors, so the issue of security for children, adults, homes and personal property is paramount. It is very eye-opening to be sensitized to the things that we often do to attract criminal activities, the best practices that reinforce security, as well as, the services offered free of cost by police. We will be following up to get to know better our community officers, as well as, solicit more information on neighbourhood watch programs. Although we have a relatively safe neighbourhood, we embrace a proactive approach to keeping it that way. Once again, we are grateful to these two officers for volunteering their time to keep us informed and proactive in safeguarding ourselves, our families and property. It is comforting to know that we have these kinds of services at our disposal. Continue the great work!
Date Received: 13 November 2008
From: Member
of Public
OPS Members: OPS
Officers, 95 Abbeyhill Drive
Excerpts from Letter: On behalf of my family, I’d like to thank the kind officers
at the Hazeldean station for their efficiency and courtesy in checking on my
89-year-old father in Kanata today. As
it turns out, the outcome was good, and we were able to communicate with my
father at a rather hectic time in our lives, and the peace of mind the service
brought to us has immeasurable value.
Times are tough on everyone, I’m sure you get more bad news than good,
so maybe it’ll help a bit to hear that we appreciate your efforts and are very
grateful for your help.
Date Received: 14 November 2008
From: Member
of the Public
OPS Members: Constable
Joseph Brownrigg
Excerpts from
Letter: Last night our family
needed the assistance of the Ottawa Police and the call was assigned to
Constable Joseph Brownrigg. Although we
thanked the constable last night for his help, I felt it was important to
express that the service he provided was not “just doing his duty”. Constable Brownrigg was professional yet
compassionate and comforting in a very stressful family situation. He was able to connect with both our son and
his mother to instill a feeling that our situation was “under control”. I am sure that, in part, this is due to his
training, but Constable Brownrigg gave it a very personal touch. So thank you again for facilitating a
positive outcome to this situation.
Date Received: 14 November 2008
From: Member
of the Public
OPS Members: Constable
Jeff Aylen
Excerpts from
Letter: I’d like to take this
opportunity to compliment Constable Jeff Aylen. As a victim of a serious criminal harassment situation, Jeff has
been involved with my case since the beginning (for almost two years!) and has
impressed me immensely. His
professionalism is commendable. Jeff
has kept me informed throughout this investigation and has always responded in
a timely and appropriate manner as required.
Throughout the ordeal, Jeff has stayed with it, giving my wife and I
peace of mind and comfort that something was being done and we could get this
resolved. I trust this will reach the
appropriate hands in your organization, so that Jeff can be recognized for
doing a great job.
Date Received: 17 November 2008
From: Reverend
Geoffrey Kerslake, Saint Leonard Parish
OPS Members: Constable
Darren Saunders
Excerpts from Letter: I am writing to express my gratitude towards two police
constables whom I encountered last evening, Wednesday, 12 November, at our
parish church in Manotick. I was
leaving St. Leonard church after a long Council meeting around 10 pm and I was
the last car in the parking lot. As I
was sitting in the car waiting for the windows to defog, two police cruisers
pulled into the parking lot. I got out
of the car to meet the police officers and I was very impressed with their
professional demeanours, good sense of humour and their friendliness. I was very grateful to see that they were
keeping an eye on the church. We had a very pleasant conversation and they
mentioned they were keeping an eye on the church because of late night activity
in the parking lot (which I have seen myself on a few occasions). I thought you might like to know that the
conduct of your officers was a credit to the Ottawa Police and it was a genuine
pleasure to meet them. May God bless
and keep safe you and all the men and women in the Ottawa Police Service.
Date Received: 24 November 2008
From: Peter
Deschamps, Director, Special Investigations Branch
OPS Members: S/Sgt.
Bruce Watts, Sergeant Russell Hrabchak and Constable Jarrid Foley
Excerpts from Letter: At this time, we would like to thank the Ottawa Police
Service, especially the efforts of Staff Sergeant Watts, Sergeant Hrabchak and
Constable Foley of the West Division, for their assistance to the Special
Investigations Branch during the execution of a search warrant by our staff on
October 23, 2008. Thank you once again
for the professionalism and courtesy shown by your service.
Date Received: 26 November 2008
From: Superintendent
Randy Patrick, Peel Regional Police
OPS Member: Chief
Vern White and Members from the Ottawa Police Service
Excerpts from Letter: The 2008 National Peace Officers’ Memorial Run from Toronto to Ottawa was an enormous success this year and has exceeded everyone’s expectations. Our achievements in completing this 460 km journey in remembering our heroes, raising awareness and funds for victimized law enforcement families as well as our National Memorial are important ones. This would not have been possible without our many generous volunteers, sponsors, donors and supporters. The National Peace Officers’ Memorial Run Committee would like to thank you for your organization’s support and participation. On behalf of our friends and families whose lives are forever changed by “in the line of duty” deaths as well as everyone involved in preparing, planning, executing and participating in the 2008 National Peace Officers’ Memorial Run, we would like to extend to you our sincere appreciation, gratitude and thanks.