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Ottawa Police Services Board
Minutes 3
Monday, 24 January 2011, 5:00 p.m.
Champlain Room, 110 Laurier Avenue West, Ottawa
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Present: Councillor E. El-Chantiry (Chair), D. Guilmet-Harris, Councillor J. Harder, H. Jensen, J. MacEwen, C. Nicholson, Mayor J. Watson
CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES
That the Ottawa Police Services Board confirm the Minutes of the 20 December 2010 and 19 January 2011 meetings.
CARRIED
PUBLIC DELEGATIONS
a) Ottawa Victim Services
Presentation by Mr. Steve Sullivan, Executive Director
On behalf of Ottawa Victim Services (OVS), Mr. S. Sullivan, Executive Director, spoke of the services OVS offers to crime victims in the Ottawa area. OVS is a charitable agency that has been providing support for over a decade to individuals who have been victimized as a result of crime. The main program, the Victim Crisis and Referral Services (VCARS), consists of community volunteers assisting police and community service providers in meeting short-term practical and emotional needs of individuals, and their longer-term needs by referral to appropriate existing community agencies. VCARS offers crisis intervention services to clients 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Much of this work is possible because of the dozens of trained volunteers who in 2008 – 2009 donated over 35,000 hours of time.
Their biggest challenge is to ensure victims are aware that the service exists. The OVS Board of Directors has made this a priority and they are reaching out to community leaders and partners to ensure victims know the service exists. Their most important relationship is with the Ottawa Police Service. Across the province, police represent over 80% of referrals. In 2008 – 2009 OVS provided assistance to over 2,000 victims, in 2009 – 2010 assistance was provided to less than 1,000 victims. It is important to OVS, their volunteers and victims that the number of referrals to the program increases. Mr. Sullivan was encouraged by recent discussions with OPS staff that both agencies are committed to working together to support crime victims in Ottawa.
In closing, Mr. Sullivan noted that as with other helping community agencies, the OVS is challenged with respect to funding; they are currently at risk of losing a valuable program if unable to secure funding within the next few months. Moving forward it will be important to not lose sight of the priority - not statistics, budget or numbers - but neighbours who may be suffering as a result of crime.
Member Harder noted that the speaker referred to the OPS as their largest potential customer; she asked if they were working with Crime Prevention Ottawa also. Mr. Sullivan said that they work with a variety of community partners, such as domestic violence shelters, sexual assault centres, and intergovernmental services. Member Harder suggested that Mr. Sullivan provide information to all City Councillors who could then refer callers seeking assistance to OVS. Chief White suggested that Mr. Sullivan also share information on the funding shortfall OVS is experiencing with members of Council so they could assist in raising awareness.
b) Mr. Dave Roberts
Mr. Roberts said he heads the Wrongfully Convicted Association. He noted that sometimes things happen that can put everyone in a difficult position and snap decisions are made resulting in wrongful convictions. He spoke of numerous incidents he felt supported this statement. He believed Ottawa was in need of an avenue where police officers could come forward with complete immunity and say they had made a mistake. In closing, he advised Board members that he was leaving copies of some documentation that he wanted distributed for their review. All Board members subsequently received a copy of his material.
c) Mr. David Burton, Civil Liberties Association
Mr. Burton from the Civil Liberties Association stated he had reviewed a copy of the Board’s Policy Manual and did not see a single reference or mention of civil liberties or the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. To a certain extent he felt this was understandable as the Board’s focus is law enforcement, but it does not make it excusable. He noticed that some of the Board’s policies appeared to be a reprint of the provisions under the Police Services Act or the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services policy standards. He wondered if the Board actually has control over these policies or if they are mandated by the Act. He also noticed that the Board’s statement of qualifications and competency list make no mention of possessing knowledge of civil liberties or the Canadian Charter of Rights. The Association believes that a civil liberties representative should be involved in the policy manual review. He suggested Board Policy CR-6 Public Consultation might be an avenue for the Civil Liberties Association to consult with the Police and the Board. He reminded Board members that at their last meeting the Association had offered assistance to the OPS but they have yet to receive a response. He hoped to hear from someone before the next Board meeting.
ITEMS OF BUSINESS
Chief White reported on the following items:
(A copy of the Chief’s verbal report will be kept on file with the Board’s Executive Director and is available online at ottawapoliceboard.ca.)
·Project Upsilon;
·OPS Commendation Program;
·First Homicide of 2011;
·2009 Ontario Municipal Benchmarking Initiative (OMBI) Report;
·National Professionalism in Policing Survey;
·Per Capita Expenditures;
·Recruiting from Visible Minorities.
Recruiting from Visible Minorities
Chair El-Chantiry asked for an update on the Service’s efforts in recruiting visible minorities. Chief White explained that from a recruiting perspective statistics from 2003 to present show the OPS has hired 539 visible minorities including aboriginals and females. The Youth in Policing Initiative (YIPI), has attracted 95 youth between the ages of 14 and 17, with 73 being from visible minority groups and/or female. He is pleased with these statistics, however, he said there is always room for improvement.
The Chief thanked the Province, the primary source of funding for the Youth in Policing Initiative, and said he looks forward to receiving funding for 2011. He stated this initiative is one of the best recruiting tools he has seen and hearing success stories from young people only reinforces the need for the program. He looked forward to seeing the continued dividends the Service and community will experience over the next decade as a result of the program.
Referencing a news article in the Ottawa Citizen that stated there is a lack of support for visible minority officers at the OPS, Chair El-Chantiry asked if the Service has a problem retaining officers. Chief White stated that since 2004, 67 officers have left the organization, 20 of whom were female. In the past year a pilot program was conducted to allow officers to work specific nights for extended periods of time giving them an opportunity to better manage their lives, however, job sharing does not work as well in policing as in other businesses. Since 2008 the OPS has hired almost 100 experienced officers from other police services. When reviewing these statistics and comparing them to other services, the Chief did not believe the OPS has a retention problem.
That the Ottawa Police Services Board receive this report for information.
RECEIVED
2. REVIEW OF CELLBLOCK OPERATIONS: UPDATE #2
Chief’s report dated 18 January 2011
Presentation
In light of the events of the past few months Chief White felt it was an appropriate time to give a presentation identifying the timeline of the cellblock investigation and review. (A copy of the presentation is on file with the Board’s Executive Director.)
Following the Chief’s presentation, the following points of clarification were made:
· There is litigation pending as a result of the cellblock incidents and the potential for more exists; the Chief did not have an estimate of what the potential liability would be, but confirmed the Board is self-insured.
· As a result of the recent cellblock incidents a more thorough accountability requirement and a much stricter framework has been identified. Prior to implementing the changes noted in the report there would not have been a daily report going to the Superintendent; reports were previously submitted to the Staff Sergeant.
· The audio system will enable a simultaneous audio/video recording of all prisoners entering the cellblock and being brought before the Sergeant, as well as the searching and processing of prisoners at the Special Constable intake area. The audio system will be manually activated for each prisoner entering the cellblock; the cellblock will remain monitored by video 24/7. Due care must be used to isolate the conversations being recorded; there is no intention or any reason for any other activity, such as employees’ conversations, to be audio taped within the cellblock. It is intended to capture interactions with prisoners only.
· Costs associated with cellblock-specific training are currently being taken from the overtime budget because training is occurring on weekends. One of the challenges with introducing this aggressive training schedule is that the training centre is already booked solid with specific mandatory training requirements. This training will be an overtime issue for the first time only; 2012 training will be slotted into the calendar.
· Should the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) return the Bonds case to the OPS, complete or incomplete, it will still be forwarded to the OPP for their portion of the investigation. Under the Police Services Act (PSA) a completed criminal investigation also requires a PSA investigation.
· The most recent update from the SIU on the Bonds case is that officers and staff have been designated.
· The Delay case was recently returned by the SIU to the OPS. It was forwarded to the OPP who will commence their investigation. There is no timetable on any of these investigations.
That the Ottawa Police Services Board receive this report for information.
RECEIVED
3. PUBLIC DELEGATIONS ON THE 2011 BUDGET
There were no public delegations on the 2011 Draft Budget.
4. INTERIM APPOINTMENTS TO BOARD COMMITTEES
Executive Director’s report dated 19 January 2011
That the Ottawa Police Services Board approve the appointments, on an interim basis, of J. Harder to the Complaints Committee and J. Watson to the Finance & Audit Committee.
CARRIED
5. POLICE SERVICES BOARD ACTIVITY, TRAINING AND PERFORMANCE – 2010 ANNUAL REPORT
Executive Director’s report dated 19 January 2011
Member Watson expressed concern about the Board Training Policy stating Board members must attend specific conferences within the first two years of being appointed. He felt that if one or two board members were attending, receiving a copy of the conference material would suffice.
Chair El-Chantiry referenced the City Auditor General’s report from 2005 which gave rise to the training requirements, and assured Member Watson that if he was unable to attend the required conferences the material would be provided to him.
Member Guilmet-Harris noted she had found the training she received from the specific conferences very valuable within her first two years. She noted that the training becomes less valuable the longer you serve on the Board.
That the Ottawa Police Services Board receive this report and forward it to City Council for information.
CARRIED
6. OTTAWA POLICE SERVICES BOARD WORK PLAN – 2011
Policy and Governance Committee’s report dated 12 January 2011
Member Jensen pointed out that the correct date for the Ontario Association of Police Services Boards’ 2011 Conference mentioned in the Workplan is 11-13 May 2011.
That the Ottawa Police Services Board approve the 2011 Work Plan for the Board.
CARRIED
7. CALENDAR OF BOARD MONITORING REQUIREMENTS – 2011
Executive Director’s report dated 19 January 2011
That the Ottawa Police Services Board receive the 2011 Calendar of Monitoring Requirements for information.
RECEIVED
8. CANADIAN ASSOCIATION OF POLICE BOARDS: 2011 MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL
Executive Director’s report dated 19 January 2011
That the Ottawa Police Services Board approve payment of $5,000 to the Canadian Association of Police Boards for its 2011 membership fee.
CARRIED
9. ONTARIO ASSOCIATION OF POLICE SERVICES BOARDS: 2011 MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL
Executive Director’s report dated 19 January 2011
Member Jensen noted the payment of membership dues should include HST and not GST as noted in the recommendation.
That the Ottawa Police Services Board approve payment of $4,565, plus HST, to the Ontario Association of Police Services Boards for its 2011 membership fee.
CARRIED as amended
10. FUNDING REQUEST: ONTARIO ASSOCIATION OF POLICE SERVICES BOARDS’ 2011 CONFERENCE
Executive Director’s report dated 19 January 2011
That the Ottawa Police Services Board approve a $2,500 contribution to sponsor a breakfast at the Ontario Association of Police Services Boards’ 2011 Annual Conference being held in Niagara Falls, Ontario on May 12 – 14, 2011.
CARRIED
11. APPOINTMENT OF SPECIAL CONSTABLES – CARLETON UNIVERSITY
Chief’s report dated 18 January 2011
That the Ottawa Police Services Board approve the appointment of Allan Burns, Mark Hargreaves, Christopher Moy, Brittany O’Connor and Devon Reeves as Special Constables with Carleton University, pursuant to Section 53(3) of the Police Services Act, in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in the attached Approval of Appointment form.
CARRIED
12. OVERVIEW AND ANALYSIS OF 2010 COLLISIONS IN OTTAWA
Chief’s report dated 18 January 2011
That the Ottawa Police Services Board receive this report for information.
RECEIVED
13. BUSINESS PLAN - 2010 – 2012: SEMI-ANNUAL STATUS REPORT (JULY TO DECEMBER 2010)
Chief’s report dated 18 January 2011
That the Ottawa Police Services Board receive this report for information.
RECEIVED
14. PERFORMANCE REPORT – FOURTH QUARTER 2010
Chief’s report dated 18 January 2011
That the Ottawa Police Services Board receive this report for information.
RECEIVED
15. WORKFORCE MANAGEMENT – FOURTH QUARTER 2010
Chief’s report dated 18 January 2011
That the Ottawa Police Services Board approve:
1. The appointment of 10 experienced officers hired in Q4, in accordance with Section 31(1)(a) of the Police Services Act;
2. The appointment of 10 new recruit sworn officers who successfully completed the required Ontario Police College training in Q4, in accordance with Section 31(1)(a) of the Police Services Act.
CARRIED
16. EMPLOYER OF CHOICE STATUS REPORT – FOURTH QUARTER 2010
Chief’s report dated 18 January 2011
That the Ottawa Police Services Board receive this report for information.
RECEIVED
17. POLICY/SERVICE COMPLAINTS – PART V, POLICE SERVICES ACT - FOURTH QUARTER 2010
Chief’s report dated 12 January 2011
That the Ottawa Police Services Board receive this report for information.
RECEIVED
18. OUTSTANDING BOARD INQUIRIES & MOTIONS: JANUARY 2011
Executive Director’s report dated 18 January 2011
That the Ottawa Police Services Board receive this report for information.
RECEIVED
19. LETTERS OF COMMENDATION
Chief’s report dated 18 January 2011
That the Ottawa Police Services Board receive this report for information.
CONSIDERATION OF MOTION TO MOVE IN CAMERA
Moved by H. Jensen
That the Ottawa Police Services Board adjourn the public portion of its meeting to move In Camera to discuss confidential items pertaining to legal and personnel matters, in accordance with Section 35(4)(b) of the Police Services Act.
CARRIED
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 6:05 p.m.
____________________________ _____________________________
W. Fedec E. El-Chantiry
Executive Director Chair