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REPORT RAPPORT |
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DATE: |
10 March 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.
(original
signed by)
Vern White,
Chief of Police
Attach. (1)
LETTERS
OF COMMENDATION
Date Received: 09 February 2009
From: Member
of the Public
OPS Members: OPS
Members
Excerpts from Letter: On behalf of the Association of Palestinian Arab Canadians
Capital Region, I would like to thank you for the assistance the Ottawa Police
Service provided during the protests that have taken place over the past few
weeks. In particular, I would like to
thank you for the assistance provided during the demonstration that took place
on January 10th on Parliament Hill in support of the civilian
population of Gaza, to protest the war crimes committed against them and to
call for just peace in the Middle East.
Thank you again for your help, and we look forward to working with the
Ottawa Police to ensure future events are safe for all.
Date Received: 09 February 2009
From: Member
of the Public
OPS Member: Constable
Cedric Nizman
Excerpts from Email: Just this past December, I was travelling to church when I
lost control of my vehicle. Constable
Nizman arrived at the scene and was incredibly courteous, friendly and
reassured me that everything was okay.
Constable Nizman also explained to me everything that was going to
happen with his report, and what I should do in the meantime. Just wanted say thank you to Constable
Nizman for his courtesy, professionalism and respect.
Date Received: 09 February 2009
From: Member
of the Public
OPS Member: Constable
David Stewart
Excerpts from Email: I was involved in a minor accident on Bridge Street in Manotick. This marked my first accident since I received my driver’s license 33 years ago. Constable Stewart was extremely vigilant in response to the incident, and his explanation was very reassuring. Constable Stewart is certainly a credit to the Ottawa Police Service. I very much appreciate his proficient and skilful manner, and ask that you ensure that Constable Stewart’s superiors are made aware of my appreciation.
Date Received: 09 February 2009
From: Member
of the Public
OPS Member: Constable
Andrew Hammond
Excerpts from Email:
Constable Hammond was
working in Barrhaven and responded to a distress call, as our son had a seizure
on his walk home from school. Constable
Hammond came to our house to inform us of what had happened and reassured us
that our son was fine. I just wanted to
say thanks.
Date Received: 10 February 2009
From: Member
of the Public
OPS Members: Constable
Andrew McAnany, Constable Lindsay LeClair
Excerpts from Email:
On January 21, 2009
Constable McAnany and Constable LeClair arrived at my door for what will become
a very memorable night as a result of something my tenant had done. I deal with the Ottawa Police Service
frequently in my profession and have had multiple occasions to notice the
caring and empathy that most officers with OPS exhibit on a daily basis. I have never had to deal with police
officers in my home. Constable McAnany
was very kind when my friend and I asked him to return to the house, and that
was highly appreciated. I ended up
working with Constable McAnany again during a trauma that had occurred. Again, I found Constable McAnany to be
highly professional and courteous, despite the extremely traumatic
circumstances. Just wanted to not only
say thank you, but to recognize that the job that we all do, often calls us to
go above and beyond our simple professional obligation and to connect with
those around us.
Date Received: 12 February 2009
From: Member
of the Public
OPS Member: Constable
Cindy Cybulski
Excerpts from Letter:
I am a citizen of Ottawa
that was involved in an automobile accident on the morning of July 2, 2008, and
am writing to commend the officer who took my statement. Constable Cybulski was professional,
courteous and compassionate. This was a
terrible experience for me and Constable Cybulski was extremely helpful. Constable Cybulski is an exemplary police
officer, and I sincerely appreciated her professionalism and kindness.
Date Received: 13 February 2009
From: Member
of the Public
OPS Members: OPS
Members
Excerpts from Email:
This morning on my way
to work, the intersection of Hazeldean Road and Eagleson Road was without
traffic lights. Several Ottawa Police
Officers were on scene to ensure that traffic flowed smoothly. The Ottawa Police Officers were easy to see
with their reflective vests they wore.
However, their hands signals were not as easy to see as they were
wearing black gloves. In future, if the
light wands similar to those used at Scotiabank Place for traffic control could
be used, it would improve communication between the officers directing traffic
and motorists. Once again, thanks for
keeping the traffic flowing this morning.
Date Received: 13 February 2009
From: Member
of the Public
OPS Member: Constable
Benjamin
Excerpts from Email:
I am a Tenant and
Community Worker with Ottawa Community Housing Corporation in the Central
District. A tenant was reported missing
from her unit, and I contacted the family to try to establish her whereabouts. Unfortunately, they were on vacation in
Hawaii. The Ottawa Police Service was
contacted for assistance to enter the unit and Constable Benjamin
responded. Constable Benjamin is a fine
representative of the Ottawa Police Service.
Constable Benjamin was calm, mild mannered, soft spoken, polite,
indicated sincere concern and has excellent listening skills. While speaking with the family on the phone,
Constable Benjamin was reassuring and very clear as to what steps would be
taken to locate their mother. I went
back to my office around 5:00 p.m. Constable Benjamin indicated that he was
going to contact the hospitals, shelters, etc.
At 5:34 p.m, Constable Benjamin came to the office and reported the
tenant was in the General Hospital, and the family had been advised. Great work.
It is great to see that sometimes the right person is doing the right
job.
Date Received: 13 February 2009
From: Member
of the Public
OPS Member: Constable
Douglas Belanger
Excerpts from Email:
Constable Belanger, as
you said when you stopped me this afternoon on Gladstone, it is never pleasant
when you are pulled over, but it’s not an excuse to be obnoxious. I apologize for being less than polite, and
applaud you for being professional. I
did find the insurance papers. I
thought I had put copies in my wallet and in the car, but for some reason I had
not. We won’t have that problem
again. An even better idea, I won’t put
myself in a similar situation. Best regards.
Date Received: 17 February 2009
From: Member
of the Public
OPS Member: Constable
Rachael Ward
Excerpts from Email:
On a cold night in the
middle of the bus strike, my husband stopped at a traffic light to pick me up
after work and we proceeded to drive home to Wakefield. Stopping at the IGA, I noticed that my purse
was not in the back seat and assumed it had fallen out as I struggled to get
all my bags in the car. I phoned the
Ottawa Police Service and asked that if an officer was in the area, to see if
there was a chance that a black purse was on the side of the road. I mention that I was travelling back to the
location and would re-trace my steps.
When my husband and I got to the location, Constable Ward was
there. Constable Ward was thoughtful
and mentioned the possibility that the purse was left at the office. I made my
way back to my workplace where security was kind enough to let me into my
office. Sure enough, my purse was
there. All I can say is thank God for
Constable Ward as she waited at my place of work to see what the outcome of my
search was. I was absolutely delighted
and extremely grateful for the logic, calm disposition and support Constable
Ward provided. The Ottawa Police
Service is well represented by Constable Ward.
Date Received: 20 February 2009
From: Member
of the Public
OPS Member: Sergeant
Denis Hull
Excerpts from Letter:
On behalf of Special
Olympics Ontario, I would like to thank you and your hockey team for your
continued support of the Oldtimer’s Hockey Series over the past number of
years. Your commitment and dedication
to this event and many others that directly support the Ontario Law Enforcement
Torch Run – the #1 fundraising arm of Special Olympics is truly
appreciated. We look forward to
continuing with a solid working affiliation with Xentel over the years to come.
Date Received: 20 February 2009
From: Ministry of the Attorney General
OPS Members: Constable Jacky Lord
Excerpts from Email: We write to praise one of the officers involved in a murder case. Constable Jacky Lord distinguished himself on this case. One of the first officers on the scene, Constable Lord used his “street-level” knowledge of the neighbourhood and its inhabitants to promptly apprehend one of the offenders. More importantly, for our purposes, Constable Lord was an excellent witness. Testifying at the preliminary inquiry, on several pre-trial motions, and ultimately before a jury, he was well prepared and unshakeable. In our opinion, Constable Lord is a credit to the Ottawa Police Service.
Date Received: 25 February 2009
From: Member
of the Public
OPS Members: Constable
Sandra Ferguson
Excerpts from Email:
Constable Ferguson
attended a call at the residence of my 84 year old mother. The call was very minor, but the sincere,
caring and professionalism shown by Constable Ferguson was much appreciated.
Date Received: 25 February 2009
From: Chief
Larry D. Hardy, Smith Falls Police Service
OPS Members: OPS
Members
Excerpts from Letter:
The Smith Falls Police
Service along with the Ontario Provincial Police and Ottawa Police Service,
recently entered into a joint forces agreement to target street level drug
dealers in and around Smith Falls.
Project “Snow Cone” commenced in October, 2008 and was completed
with a takedown on February 12, 2009.
This project resulted in a large quantity of drugs being removed from
streets along with cash and firearms.
Approximately thirty people were arrested resulting in a very positive
impact for the residents of Eastern Ontario.
I wish to commend the members of the Ottawa Police Service that were
involved in this process for their co-operation, professionalism and dedication
which made the outcome of this worthwhile project such a great success.
Date Received: 26 February 2009
From: Councillor
Alex Cullen
OPS Members: Constable
Maria Keen
Excerpts from Letter:
As Councillor for Bay
Ward and a Director of the Ottawa Community Housing Corporation, I would like
to take this opportunity to congratulate you for your initiative in engaging
the students of your Algonquin College class in participating in projects to
help with safety concerns in the Ottawa Community Housing Corporation community
of Foster Farm. You are to be commended
for your hard work and commitment to the community. Your determination in resolving safety issues by involving
community groups, your students, the City of Ottawa, and Ottawa Community
Housing Corporation shows how you understand the complexity of these
issues. You are also to be commended
for demonstrating to your students how classroom teaching can be applied in the
community. I am sure that they found
this to be an invaluable experience.
Once again, congratulations and thank you for a job well done.
Date Received: 10 February 2009
From: Member
of the Public
OPS Members: Constable
Katherine Larouche
Excerpts from
Letter: I am writing to express my sincere appreciation for the professionalism
and compassion shown by one of your officers.
Constable Larouche arrived at Hydro Ottawa’s main office to inform an
employee of a family emergency.
Constable Larouche went above and beyond in her interactions with our
employee. I have learned that Constable
Larouche was both comforting and supportive at this time of personal tragedy,
even offering her assistance to drive our employee home. On behalf of our employee and Hydro Ottawa,
I would like to thank Constable Larouche for this outstanding service. Constable Larouche’s caring attitude during
this time of need is appreciated, and certainly will not be forgotten.