REPORT

RAPPORT

 

DATE:

 

20 October 2009

TO:

 

Executive Director, Ottawa Police Services Board

FROM:

 

Chief of Police, Ottawa Police Service

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: 23 July 2009

From: Member of the Public

OPS Members: Constable Christopher Handler, Constable Paul Cahill, Constable Michel Vandal, and other OPS members.

Excerpts from Letter: On July 12th, our son Noah was injured by falling over an iron pipe and injuring his head.  Four pedestrians immediately came to our assistance (one of whom actually took off his shirt) to assist my wife in stopping the large flow of blood from his head wound.  Another of your citizens called 911, and this is where your police officers came into the picture.  Approximately four or five minutes after the call, three of your patrol cars streamed to the scene with sirens blazing and lights flashing.  What a comforting sound to two very frightened parents and Noah’s other two siblings.  Almost immediately, Constable Handler, Constable Cahill, and Constable Vandal assessed the situation, called their Sergeant and my boy was off to CHEO before we knew it and traffic was blocked so that nothing stood in their way of getting my boy to the hospital as quickly as possible.  Time was of essence as my son has had three brain operations and there was some concern in this regard.  As it turned out, Noah only had a small cut to his head and spent very little time in CHEO.  On behalf of my family, we would like to thank these officers for all they did.  Without their assistance and valour, the outcome might not have been the same.

 

Date Received: 23 July 2009

From: Member of the Public

OPS Members: Constable Joel Shaver and Constable Kevin Benloss

Excerpts from Letter: On July 7th, my wife collapsed in the kitchen of our home.  Within minutes of my call to 911, Constable Shaver and Constable Benloss arrived.  They were competent, polite and handled the emergency situation in a thoroughly professional manner.  Several days later, Constable Benloss returned to ask about my wife and to make sure that everything was alright with me.  I am 76 years old, and my wife is 69.  It was very reassuring (living as we do in a semi-rural area) to know that we have such outstanding police officers ready to assist so quickly and efficiently.  These officers are a credit to your Service. 

 

Date Received: 27 July 2009

From: Member of the Public

OPS Member: Constable Paul Cahill

Excerpts from Letter: My husband and I were visiting your beautiful city for the first time. In our excitement to see your city, we misplaced our car.  After searching for many blocks without success, I saw and approached an officer riding a bike.  We eventually located our car at the intersection of Albert and Bank Street.  Thank you to Constable Cahill for his assistance, patience and kindness and to also say what a great ambassador he is for your city.

 

Date Received: 28 July 2009

From: Member of the Public

OPS Members: Constable Jennifer Rheaume and Constable Keri Saunders

Excerpts from Letter: I want to commend 2 of your officers (Constable Rheaume and Constable Saunders) for their professionalism, diplomacy, understanding and compassion following an incident in our home.  I was completely traumatized by my husband’s aggressive behaviour towards me.  After I called the Mobile Crisis Unit, they sent out 2 Ottawa Police officers who took the situation in hand and took my husband to the Montfort Hospital Emergency Department.  Constable’s Rheaume and Saunders called to advise me of the situation at the emergency, and twice after leaving the hospital.  They also advised me to have my daughter come from Montreal to help me with my traumatized condition.  Thank you for having such wonderful people in your Police Service.

 

Date Received: 6 August 2009

From: Member of the Public

OPS Members: Sergeant Peter Couillard, Constable Paul France and Constable Michael Siddons

Excerpts from Letter: I would like to extend a huge thank you to you on behalf of myself and my volunteer crew members for allowing Sergeant Couillard to assign a couple of officers to be present at our ‘grab and go’ during the Weekend to End Breast Cancer in June.  The officers were personable and fun with the walkers.  I would like to add that although the officers were enhancing the forces’ public relations, they were still performing their duties.  They picked up immediately that one of the walkers looked gravely ill and called for paramedics who came and took the walker to the hospital.  I learned the next day that the walker was dehydrated and suffering from heat exhaustion.  I shudder to think how grave the situation could have been had the walker continued.  Your officers were skilled professionals. Thank you again. 

 

Date Received: 6 August 2009

From: Ambassador of Japan

OPS Members: Members of the Ottawa Police Service

Excerpts from Letter: I wish to take this opportunity to thank you most sincerely for your great assistance on the occasion of Their Majesties of the Emperor and Empress’s State visit to Canada.  During Their Majesties stay in Canada, your gracious hospitality made them feel welcomed and I believe that it contributed a lot in making the visit more than successful.  Thanks to efforts in concert with RCMP, Their Majesties could enjoy their stay in Ottawa without any security or transportation problems.  I look forward to continuing to work closely with you.

 

Date Received: 10 August 2009

From: Member of the Public

OPS Members: Sergeant Donald Munro, Constable Jason McDonald, Constable Jeremy House, Constable Robert Smith and Constable Andrew Armstrong

Excerpts from Letter: First let me thank you and your fellow officers for the way you handled our break-in.  It is truly reassuring to know our person and property is being protected by such a professional team of officers.  Special recognition to Sergeant Munro and his team.  I received a phone call from ADT stating an intrusion had taken place at our store.  I responded immediately, arrived at our store and was greeted by Sergeant Munro.  Sergeant Munro informed me that a young man had broken in and was apprehended a short distance away.  I am very grateful.

 

Date Received: 13 August 2009

From: Member of the Public

OPS Members: Staff Sergeant Uday Jaswal, Sergeant David Bal, Constable Trevor Dunlop, Constable Brian Dyck, Constable David Turnbull Jr., and Constable Mannix Velho

Excerpts from Letter: On behalf of myself and the owners, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you and everyone involved in solving the problem that we had been experiencing involving men gathering and drinking, and the disturbances it was creating.  I have also noticed more police cars circulating in the neighbourhood.  After numerous complaints to the Ottawa Police Service and the city of Ottawa Bylaw, over a period of 2 months, June 19th seemed to have been the turning point.  Once again, thank you for your cooperation.  It is well appreciated.

 

Date Received: 13 August 2009

From: Constable Chris Marshall, Ontario Provincial Police, Bracebridge Detachment

OPS Member: Constable Luc Sylvestre

Excerpts from Letter: The Bracebridge Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police began an investigation into a break and enter and theft at a local music store in the town of Gravenhurst.  Several musical instruments of considerable value and sentimental meaning to the victim were stolen.  After arresting the suspect in the case, I became aware that items stolen in this case were sold at a pawn shop in the Ottawa area.  I telephoned the Ottawa Police Service and was put in contact with Constable Sylvestre.  Constable Sylvestre was very helpful and immediately took the details of the stolen property.  One of the pawn shops was only known to us through a vague description, but Constable Sylvestre was able to identify the pawn shop, and also able to retrieve the items that were pawned for an approximate value of $2300.00.  I was very impressed with Constable Sylvestre’s knowledge, dedication, and ability that he showed in assisting with this investigation. 

 

Date Received: 14 August 2009

From: Mary Richardson, Minto Management Limited

OPS Member: Constable Maria Keen

Excerpts from Letter: I am the Regional Manager at Bayshore with Minto Management Limited and would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge a key community member of Bayshore.  Constable Keen has worked closely with Minto and residents of Bayshore for over 14 years and her presence in our community is highly valued and appreciated.  Constable Keen participates in our local events and goes above and beyond to help in every way possible to make our events a success.  Constable Keen is an active member of our local committees, such as Bayshore Advisory Committee, Bayshore Fundays Committee and is a major supporter of our Crime-Free Multi-Housing Program.  Constable Keen’s commitment and dedication to the Bayshore Community and its residents is commendable.

 

Date Received: 25 August 2009

From: Member of the Public

OPS Members: Sergeant Shawn Rainville, Sergeant Gary Cashman, Constable Jospeh DeFranco, Constable Christopher Carr, Constable Dimitrios Panagakos, Constable Amanda Irwin, Constable Hal Storie, Constable Derek McCluskey

Excerpts from Letter: I would like to say how impressed I was with the way a matter was dealt with by officers of the Ottawa Police Service.  I was informed that my car had been stolen.  The officers who handled the initial report (Constable DeFranco and his partner) responded very quickly and provided some very helpful advice.  Sergeant Rainville telephoned me to advise me that the car had been recovered and described the contents to determine which items were mine, and which had been left by the thief.  Sergeant Rainville was extremely polite and very helpful, as was Constable McCloskey.  I was so pleased with the speed with which I obtained the vehicle release form from the Greenbank Station.  Please thank all the officers involved in the resolution of this matter.

 

Date Received: 11 August 2009

From: Superintendent Wayne Gallant, R.C.M.P. Codiac Regional Detachment

OPS Member: Constable Christopher Cochrane

Excerpts from Letter: On behalf of the Codiac Regional Detachment, I would like to advise you of our appreciation of Constable Cochrane’s actions as noted below. A male suspect entered a local convenience store armed with a knife and demanded money from the clerk.  The suspect then fled the scene with the money and the clerk in chase.  Constable Cochrane who was on holidays, observed the chase and took over from the clerk, followed the suspect to a nearby residence and contacted our office to direct our members to the residence.  The suspect then ignored all means of communication resulting in a nine hour standoff with our Emergency Response Team.  The suspect was later arrested inside the residence without incident.  Constable Cochrane not only pursued the suspect and directed us to him, but also picked out the suspect in a photo lineup.  Again, I would like to thank Constable Cochrane for his professionalism and dedication while still on leave.

 

Date Received: 27 August 2009

From: Coalition of Community Safety, Health and Well-being

OPS Member: Mr. Bryan McNally

Excerpts from Letter: I am writing you on behalf of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police Crime Prevention Committee, and the Coalition on Community Safety, Health and Well-being, to extend our thanks to the Ottawa Police Service, and especially to Mr. Bryan McNally for the valuable assistance recently provided to us.  As you know, the CACP’s Annual Conference 2009 was built on the theme of crime prevention through social development, and the last session of the professional thematic program was about the Coalition.  Instead of hearing from them in person, we developed a presentation that featured videotaped segments of our Coalition partners speaking about the role of the Coalition and what it means for their individual National Associations.  Mr. Bryan McNally of the Ottawa Police Service was most helpful.  Mr. McNally taped three individuals from Ottawa in their own offices, giving his professional advice on how they might present their individual messages.  Mr. McNally then edited and taped interviews, inserted these into the master PowerPoint presentation, and provided technical operating instructions.  The end result was very satisfactory and things went flawlessly at the Annual Conference.  Without his assistance, we would not have been able to produce such a successful session.