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: 04 December 2009

From: Principal, Glebe Collegiate School

OPS Members: Central West NHO Officers

Excerpts from Letter: We want to express our sincere appreciation for all the hard work of the neighbourhood officers of the Ottawa Police Service, who were involved in the drug project in the Glebe neighbourhood during the month of October 2009. We, as a school community, benefited from their hard work and, more importantly, our students benefited, particularly the students who were found to be using marijuana. These students were directed to our Rideauwood Addictions Counsellor to receive counselling on their behaviour. This type of intensive community support is greatly appreciated by all the staff at Glebe Collegiate Institute and we look forward to future opportunities to work together.

Date Received: 04 December 2009

From: Member of the Public

OPS Members: Constable Paramjit Singh

Excerpts from Email: This note is to compliment Constable Singh for his congenial and efficient handling of a small accident we experienced on November on Montreal Road near St. Anne Street. The incident involved my being hit from behind by another car when I had stopped for a school bus with flashing lights. I particularly want to point out Constable Singh’s kind and efficient manner because I am aware that it is a particularly difficult strip of road, passing through Vanier, constricted as it is by bus/taxi lanes on both sides of the road, with only one lane each way for regular car traffic. Officer Singh, by contrast, very efficiently got our own cars onto a side street and treated both my wife and I, and the people in the car that had hit ours, with kindness, courtesy and congeniality. He helped to make what could have been a somewhat difficult situation much easier to navigate.

Date Received: 04 December 2009

From: Royal Canadian Legion Dominion Canada

OPS Members: Staff Sergeant David Thomas, Sergeant Brian Mieske and OPS Members

Excerpts from Letter: On behalf of Dominion Command, The Royal Canadian Legion, I am honoured to bring to your attention the quality actions of the members of the Ottawa Police Service who attended the 2009 National Remembrance Day ceremony on 11 November 2009 as they performed policing duties related to the safety and security of all participants and spectators. There was an unusually large contingent of Ottawa Police officers for this year’s ceremony due to the presence of Their Royal Highnesses, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall. While I am unable to list the officers involved, I will point to their individual NCOs in charge. Staff Sergeant Thomas who organized and positioned the static officers to several posts around the secured perimeter of the National War Museum and Sergeant Mieske who provided all the required traffic escort services for the movement of the veterans and troops on the roadways as well as escorts provided to the Governor General, the Prime Minister and the Silver Cross Mother. We hold these NCOs and officers in our highest regard for their continued support to our National Ceremony activities.

Date Received: 07 December 2009

From: Member of the Public

OPS Members: Constable Kris Montgomery and Constable Kimberley Mackey

Excerpts from Email: The purpose of this letter is to formally thank and above all commend Constable Montgomery for his superior level of professionalism in the line of duty. Constable Montgomery was on patrol on the evening of 28 November 2009, when I managed to flag him down as I was being robbed. Upon realizing what was happening, Constable Montgomery immediately engaged in a foot pursuit of my attackers. Also, I would like to thank all the other officers who responded that night, especially Constable Mackey who was extremely considerate, patient and professional. Constable Mackey helped me greatly while explaining to me what investigative steps would be needed that night. Constable Mackey was also kind enough to give me a lift home in the early hours of the following day. Finally, my thanks go to your detectives at the Greenbank Station for their patience and understanding of what I went through. I believe that Constable Montgomery truly deserves to be congratulated, and his actions acknowledged for an exceptional level of professionalism. He bears out the old motto, “To Serve and Protect”.

Date Received: 11 December 2009

From: Gary Couture, Regional Commander, Ontario Provincial Police, Eastern Region

OPS Members: Constable Louise Villeneuve

Excerpts from Letter: This morning, two of our Rockland officers were involved in a struggle with a suicidal male in Rockland. These officers were struggling considerably with the subject on the side of the road in front of a school when one of your off-duty officers, Constable Villeneuve, stopped to assist. They were successful in finally cuffing the subject thanks to her assistance. We can’t possibly thank her enough; please extend our utmost appreciation to her!

Date Received: 16 December 2009

From: Ottawa Professional Fire Fighters’ Association

OPS Members: Staff Sergeant Dave Thomas, Sergeant Denis Charbonneau and OPS Members

Excerpts from Letter: On behalf of the Ottawa Professional Firefighters Association and the Help Santa Toy Parade committee, I would like to thank the Ottawa Police Service for their support of the 40^th Anniversary Toy Parade. Staff Sergeant Thomas was of considerable assistance and was it not for his insight we would probably not have been nearly as successful. Sergeant Charbonneau also played an important role in organizing road closures and monitoring traffic. We value our relationship with the Ottawa Police Service and its highly trained personnel.

Date Received: 16 December 2009

From: Principal, Hawthorne Public School

OPS Members: Constable Richard Allman

Excerpts from Letter: I wanted to write a short note to tell you what a wonderful job Constable Allman has been doing with our school. Constable Allman has spoke with our students on many occasions and his messages and manner with the students has been well prepared, clear and meaningful. Constable Allman’s warm manner with the students inspires confidence and respect. His support of our school and prompt attention to all our concerns has been so helpful in the years that he has been our SRO.

Date Received: 03 January 2010

From: Member of the Public

OPS Members: Constable Welden Holder

Excerpts from Letter: On 07 November 2009 both my mother and I were rear ended on Woodroffe Avenue. The attending officer (Constable Holder) was calm and professional. My son-in-law came to the scene as our car was totalled, leaving his wife and 5-day old infant at home. Not thinking, he left his ignition turned on – the result being a dead battery as we were there approximately 1 hour. Constable Holder then did that one extra kindness that meant so much. He told us to stay where we were and then went for jumper cables and boosted the battery using his own vehicle. We did thank him but I want you to know of his good deed.

Date Received: 11 January 2010

From: Program Performance Management Analyst, Occupational Health and Safety Branch, Royal Canadian Mounted Police

OPS Members: Constable Abraham Kaazan and Constable Laurie-Anne Rocca

Excerpts from Letter: I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for allowing me to participate in the Ottawa Police Service Ride-Along Program. I was fortunate to be paired up with Constable Kaazan and Constable Rocca. The experience was exciting to say the least. During the shift, both Constables Kaazan and Rocca were always happy to answer my many questions. I was amazed at the level of teamwork they had with their platoon on each shift. Their passion for their profession is remarkable and it is evident that they all genuinely enjoy what they do. My experience with both Constables was a great one. They were professional and respectful, all the while ensuring that my overall experience was a safe and pleasant one. Thank you for granting me the opportunity to participate in this Ride-Along. It was without a question one of my most enjoyable experiences yet and I would certainly welcome any opportunity to do so again.

Date Received: 18 January 2010

From: Member of the Public

OPS Members: Constable Lee Jones

Excerpts from Letter: I had a problem at the Ottawa Airport and Constable Jones was very helpful in solving my problem. I lost my wallet and I reported it at the police station there. Constable Jones did the intake and began asking all the needed questions to obtain the necessary personal information from me. He then asked if I had eaten anything and I said no, so he took money out of his own pocket and gave it to me. He told me to “go get breakfast, take your time and come back - I’ll be here and we’ll work it out”. I sat down at breakfast, calmed down and then I thought maybe it was left at the motel. Constable Jones then took me to the motel as quickly and as safely as possible to get me there and back to try and make the same flight. I need to know that the great effort and two hours of time taken by this Constable does not go unnoticed.