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: 21 December 2010

From: Paula M. Dionne, Superintendent, R.C.M.P.

OPS Member: Staff Sergeant Kevin Maloney

Excerpts from Letter: I am writing to thank you for allowing the Identification Section to assist the RCMP Integrated Forensic Identification Services. In particular, I would like to highlight the assistance that S/Sgt Kevin Maloney provided to the Bloodstain Pattern Analysis Training Program. Mr. Jon Forsythe (RCMP S/Sgt retired), responsible for updating the Basic Bloodstain Pattern Analysis course, requested the assistance of S/Sgt Maloney, known in the international community for his expertise, in ensuring the course contents reflected current scientific advancements and standards. S/Sgt Maloney dedicated substantial time assisting with the completion of this project and, as a result, the updated course is now in place and in use by the RCMP National Learning Services and the Canadian Police College. Again, thank you and on behalf of Integrated Forensic Identification Services, please convey my sincere gratitude to S/Sgt Maloney for both the time and effort he committed to the advancement of the BPA discipline.

Date Received: 27 January 2011

From: Peter Henschel, Assistant Commissioner, R.C.M.P.

OPS Member: Constable Pamela Scharf

Excerpts from Letter: I am writing you to thank you for allowing Cst Scharf of the Forensic Identification Section to participate in a two year secondment with the RCMP Integrated Forensic Identification Services. Cst Scharf assisted our Program Support Unit as a Crime Scene Methods and Procedure Analyst from January 2009 to January 2011. Cst Scharf’s duties included performing scientific technical evaluations of various forensic identification techniques for dissemination to the field members via our website or technical reports and bulletins. Cst Scharf also provided supervision and technical guidance to university students working for the RCMP. Throughout her two year term, Cst Scharf showed enthusiasm and dedication to her work. Cst Scharf’s work in the preparation and organization of the multi-agency and multi-disciplined Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) response to the Haitian earthquake was of great assistance to the RCMP. Cst Scharf was a valuable member of the second post mortem team that was sent to Haiti.

Date Received: 31 January 2011

From: Mark Taylor, Councillor

OPS Members: Inspector Michael Rice, Staff Sergeant Richard Baldwin-Ooms, Sergeant Barbara O’Reilly and Constable Keith Heaton

Excerpts from Letter: On January 21, I was pleased to attend the new Ottawa Police station at 211 Huntmar Drive in Kanata along with two of my staff members. I was met at the station by Insp Rice, S/Sgt Baldwin-Ooms, Sgt O’Reilly and Cst Heaton. I sincerely appreciate the very informative tour of the station and I look forward to working in partnership and cooperation with all of the officers during the next four years.

Date Received: 3 February 2011

From: Sara Hradecky, Assistant Deputy Minister

OPS Member: Constable Sandra Sparling

Excerpts from Letter: Canada’s mission to Afghanistan remains a foreign policy priority of the Canadian government. Over the past years, public servants across many departments and agencies have played a key role in supporting this mission by providing a range of civilian expertise which has ensured a truly whole-of-government integrated approach. This multidisciplinary approach has made Canada a leader amongst our international partners and has permitted Canada to make substantial achievements in a wide range of fields. Cst Sparling has recently joined your team following her mission in Afghanistan. If she was a member of your team prior to leaving for Afghanistan, I want to thank you for your support in releasing her for this posting. If Sandra is joining your team for the first time, you are getting an employee who has been able to perform in one of the most challenging environments a public servant will ever face.

Date Received: 6 February 2011

From: Mr. Samson, Head, Professional Development Learning Centre, Hong Kong Police

OPS Members: Acting Staff Sergeant Brian Bonderud and Constable Khoa Hoang

Excerpts from Letter: On behalf of my Commissioner, I would like to thank you for arranging a one-week post course attachment for Senior Inspectors Terry Fang and Benjamin Tse of the Hong Kong Police Force in December 2010. The officers had just completed the Senior Police Administration Course at the Canadian Police College. The visit was organized in a most professional manner and the officers had gained a lot through active exchange with your colleagues who had provided most valuable information on various policing issues. I would like to convey my special thanks to A/S/Sgt Bonderud and Cst Hoang who had rendered great assistance in liaison and logistic work. I would also like to express my appreciation to your colleagues from the Criminal Intelligence Section, Surveillance Section, Community Police Centre and Quality Assurance Section for their hospitality and frank sharing of knowledge and experience with the officers during their visit.

Date Received: 6 February 2011

From: Member of the Public

OPS Members: Sergeant Mark Kilby and Constable Shawn Hickey

Excerpts from Letter: I was shovelling snow with my brother Brent, not knowing until I came back into my home, he collapsed and I found him not able to wake or answer me. I called 911 and the police, fire and paramedics came to my home. Sgt Kilby and Cst Hickey were so awesome. Especially Cst Hickey. He stayed with my mom and I while the paramedics and firemen worked on getting my brother to wake and finally take him to the Queensway Carleton Hospital. Please let the officers know how much I admire them, in that they were a great support at the time, and while I was a little worried, they were calming for my mom. The reason I write to you this morning is out of gratitude and that if we didn’t have such an awesome police force, where would we be? The officers serve this City well.

Date Received: 6 February 2011

From: Member of the Public

OPS Member: Constable Tena Gallichon

Excerpts from Letter: Following a minor, yet unfortunate accident that happened to me last Saturday, I wish to commend Cst Gallichon to you. Cst Gallichon assisted me with the incident, requested the necessary tow truck and made sure that I was taken home safely. Cst Gallichon was very helpful, very caring and diligent in her duties and she was an excellent ambassador for the Ottawa Police Service. I commend her to you in the highest regard.

Date Received: 8 February 2011

From: Member of the Public

OPS Members: Members of the Background Clearance Section

Excerpts from Letter: I recently applied for a position with the City of Ottawa that required me to obtain a Police Record check for Service with the Vulnerable Sector. I was also required to provide fingerprints for a more thorough check through RCMP. The entire process has been frustrating and stressful and is still not complete. However, I write you today not to complain about the process, but to bring to you attention the amazing service and assistance I have received from your staff in the Background Clearance Section. Every staff member I have come into contact with has gone above and beyond their duties to assist me through this process. When my initial check wasn’t quite ready for my meeting with the city, several of your staff went into overdrive to get the document completed so I would have it available. In all my 36 years dealing with Government and Public Agencies (or any other service industry for that matter), no other organization has come close to providing the level of service I have received from your staff. I think each and every member needs to be recognized and thanks for the hard work and outstanding service they provide.

Date Received: 15 February 2011

From: Member of the Public

OPS Member: Staff Sergeant Lynne Turnbull

Excerpts from Letter: The Bank of Canada will be issuing a new series of polymer bank notes later this year. As might be expected, there will be a police educational component to the issuance. My team is in the midst of producing educational products for police first responders. The primary educational tool will be a 5 minute roll call video that will be distributed to every police agency in Canada. S/Sgt Turnbull of your Professional Development Centre and four other members of your service were recruited by the Bank to help produce the video. This involved developing key messages, reviewing scripts, and participating in today’s video shoot. As one who spent an entire first career in the RCMP, I know that police officers do not always receive the praise they deserve. You need to know that all five of your members demonstrated a keen interest in developing the video and showed the utmost degree of professionalism. Kindly extend our collective appreciation to S/Sgt Turnbull and her team.

Date Received: 16 February 2011

From: Member of the Public

OPS Members: Sergeant Steve Kerr and Constable Kirk Batson

Excerpts from Letter: Recently, as you know, an incident took place at Otto’s BMW. I am writing you to express our deep appreciation and gratitude for the work of the officers of the Ottawa Police Force. After having gone through a situation that was dangerous and traumatic, the positive side of this whole experience was in the performance, professionalism and dedication the officers exhibited. We had the pleasure of meeting Cst Batson and Sgt Kerr, however we did not get to meet the officers who were on duty that morning but it is very important to us that you mention our most heartfelt thanks. We are always appreciative of your work and would like to thank you for the ongoing and outstanding efforts to keep our community safe.