Chief’s Verbal – 28 February 2011

Chaplain/Spiritual Program

The Ottawa Police Service is committed to providing its members with comprehensive health, safety and lifestyles programs designed to promote and support their own health and that of their families.  The continued investment to support and develop the members of the Ottawa Police Service was identified as a priority of the Police Services Board and the OPS Executive in setting the strategic directions for the 2010-2012 Business Plan.  It is evident that the OPS supports the spiritual dimension of wellness by the creation and maintenance of a Chaplaincy/Spiritual Program for the past 39 years.  

We now have a team of six to support our members:

- Reverend Robert Heard (who has been active the past 15 years with the OPS);

- Dr Safaa Fouda;

- Father William Penney;

- Rabbi Arnold Fine;

- Jo MacQuarrie;

- Baldev Singh Vij.

The team will be taking their “oath of office” with our next recruit ceremony, the date is still to be determined, and have received orientation training on January 13. 

Chief’s Ceremonial Guard

The Chief’s Ceremonial Guard, formerly known as the Colour Party, has been in existence since 1982.   They are often called upon to provide a uniformed and ceremonial presence at Ottawa Police functions, community celebrations and other events.  Quite often they attend these functions in conjunction with the OPS Band. 

Presently, the unit consists of nine sworn members, four Sergeants and five Constables.  All the members are volunteers and the majority of the functions they attend are on their own time and at their own expense.  Approximately 80-90 % of the time dedicated to these events was during the members' off-duty time.  In 2010, this dedicated team logged over 1000 hours serving as ambassadors for the Ottawa Police Service within our community and as far away as Cleveland, Ohio.

Beaver Pond, Kanata North

The area known as Beaver Pond, is located in Kanata North, and is the site of a proposed residential development.  Local residents and members of various Algonquin Bands throughout Ontario and Quebec have been opposed to the development of this area for some time, as they have a strong belief that the land may hold aboriginal artifacts.

The Developer has received all the necessary permits and permissions from the City of Ottawa, as well as the Province to proceed to clear the land in preparation for its development.  In advance of, as well as during this operation, a number of protests relating to the development have taken place at Beaver Pond and at City Hall.  Through on-going dialogue with the community, the Developer and Aboriginal Leaders, and Ottawa Police Service has been able to maintain the trust of all parties involved, while preserving peace, and allowing groups opposed to the development to carry-out safe, lawful demonstrations.  At the same time, the Developer has been able to carry-out their work at the site with only minimal disruptions.

Review of Cellblock Operations:  Update #3

a. Investigative Update

• The SIU continues their investigation of the Stacy Bonds matter.  At this time, we do not have a date when we can anticipate they will conclude their investigation.  I also need to remind everyone we are not permitted to discuss SIU Investigations, and as such I cannot make further comments.
• With respect to our review of cellblock focused incidents that are currently before the courts, current excessive force complaints, new public complaints and civil litigations the review is complete.  We have met with OIPRD to assist us with this review in a consultative capacity, and have received their input.  They have agreed with the OPS approach taken in each case, further provided a letter of appreciation for being consulted,  congratulating our service on the process undertaking to address these matters in a transparent and efficient manner.
• To date there are a total of 5 investigations currently under OPP jurisdiction.  The OPP have advised they are coming to the end of their investigations, and I anticipate having a report on the outcomes by the next Board meeting.  Once the SIU concludes their work on the Bonds matter, the OPP will commence their conduct investigation from a Police Services Act perspective.

b. Technical Infrastructure

Audio has been installed in the cell block and is now operational.  A training video highlighting audio and cell block protocols has been developed and communicated to staff.  This change in technology will enable a simultaneous audio/video recording of all prisoners brought before the Sergeant, and processed at the Special Constable intake area.

If the media is interested in a display of the new audio procedures, I encourage them to follow up with our Media Relations section.

c. Communication

Internal communication and external communication is important to ensure confidence with and within the police service.  I have continued to meet with the membership through parades and unit meetings.

Various media outlets have requested and been granted access to the cell block.  This also includes interviews with special constables, briefings on protocols (including the searching and processing of prisoners within the cell block), how the new audio system will operate, as well as the role of the special constable.  In one instance, a reporter was embedded with cell block personnel during an eight hour evening shift.

In late January 2011, the OPS provided guided tours to members of the media who expressed interest in visiting central cellblock.  The OPS accommodated the requests - during a busy shift – in order to present the current cellblock set-up and speak to the upcoming installation of an audio system.  Staff Sergeant Mark Patterson led the visits of both CFRA Radio and the Ottawa Sun.

The ensuing media stories generated further media interest and the OPS opened its doors further. A half hour training demo for Special Constables was hosted by Use of Force Instructors at PDC for members of the media on 3 and 5 February 2001.  Following the demos, a guided tour of central cellblock was also provided to interested media.  Over 15 media members attended the training demos and three media (CBC, CTV and A-News) opted to tour cellblock.

d. Supervision

A 2009 SGI (Strategic Growth Initiative) sworn Staff Sergeant position, intended to be deployed into Criminal Investigative Services (CIS), has been re-directed to Central cellblock in a new position, Staff Sergeant Temporary Custody – Central Cellblock.  This competition was posted and a Staff Sergeant was selected to fill the position.

e. Training

Job-specific training for cellblock Sergeants and Special Constables started the weekend of 8 January 2011, and is now complete.  Cellblock Sergeants and Special Constables received an additional 16 hours of job-specific training which was developed in consultation with instructors at the OPS Professional Development Centre.  This will continue annually, and is in addition to legislated Use of Force re-qualification.  Of note, the media were given an opportunity to participate in the training by viewing various demonstrations by our use of force instructors.

A training moments video has been produced by the Cell Block Team and Bryan McNally highlighting the changes we have made to the process of lodging prisoners.  Today we have introduced improvements that ensure a much more controlled and safer process, which you will see in this video.

f. Cell Block Review

A charter has been drafted for the upcoming workload analysis in cell block.  This, unlike the Precidia plan, is directed at workload, job descriptions (what they do and why they do it), hiring, training, and gap analysis on data.

The goal of the Charter is to make recommendations for a more efficient system within temporary custody.  This will include effective, manageable and auditable processing of arrested persons (prisoners) in the care and control of Ottawa Police.

g. Policy

The review of policies, procedures and training, undertaken by Presidia, will form part of the final report to the Board, as required by legislation, after the SIU has returned jurisdiction of the files to the OPS.  Phase I of their work has been completed and we are now moving into the second and final phase of their work.

CONCLUSION

Another verbal update to the Board on these matters will be forthcoming at the March meeting. There continues to be regular meetings of the Steering Committee.