|
Ottawa Police Services Board
Minutes 6
Monday, 28 March 2011, 5:00 p.m.
Champlain Room, 110 Laurier Avenue West, Ottawa
|
Present: Councillor E. El-Chantiry (Chair), A. Doyle, Councillor J. Harder, J. MacEwen, C. Nicholson, Mayor J. Watson
Regrets: H. Jensen
CEREMONIAL ACTIVITIES / ANNOUNCEMENTS
a) Superintendent Tim Armour
Chair El-Chantiry announced that this was Supt. Armour’s last Board meeting as he is retiring after 32 years of service with the Ottawa Police Service. Supt. Armour served on the Board of the Senior Officers’ Association, most recently as President. On behalf of the Board, the Chair thanked the Superintendent for his service to the organization, the Association and the community.
b) Public Interest Meeting
Chair El-Chantiry announced that the Board would be holding a Public Interest Meeting entitled Community Solutions for Preventing Youth Crime on 26 April 2010 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall. The meeting will be moderated by Mr. Adrian Harewood, CBC News Host.
CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES
That the Ottawa Police Services Board confirm the Minutes of the 28 February and 7 March 2011 meetings.
CARRIED
PUBLIC DELEGATIONS
a) Mr. Bruce Roney, Executive Director, Ottawa Humane Society
Chair El-Chantiry congratulated Mr. Roney on the Ottawa Humane Society’s recent gala, noting it was the most successful gala they have hosted.
Mr. Roney thanked the Board for allowing him the opportunity to give a presentation that would clarify how the Humane Society supports policing. Mr. Roney then provided the Board with statistical information about the Society, an overview of their role in the community and in support of law enforcement and police services in Ottawa.
The Humane Society’s law enforcement and emergency services role for the last fiscal year included:
· attended 3,916 calls of which 1,212 were complaints of animal cruelty and neglect in addition to 2,370 follow-up calls.
· performed 576 domestic animal rescues as well as 865 wildlife rescues.
· over 1,500 animals were admitted by the investigations rescue services to the shelter
· 18 people were charged; total number of offences under the Criminal Code and provincial legislation was 44.
· 154 animals were admitted into protective care (housing the animals or attending the site of arrest, fire, or hospital) so that emergency personnel could tend to the situation, thereby working very closely with police, fire and ambulance services.
· Under the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (OSPCA Act) they are empowered, with reasonable grounds, to remove animals from a situation of distress; 34 removals and 86 orders for the care of animals in the community were issued.
· The OSPCA Act also empowers them to investigate and charge individuals under any piece of animal welfare legislation including City of Ottawa by-laws.
Member Watson thanked Mr. Roney for the good work that the Humane Society does and asked for more information regarding the adoption of animals from Nunavut, which Mr. Roney referred to in his presentation. Mr. Roney explained the situation in the North is very bleak; the program began when concerned volunteers asked if the Society would accept and adopt animals out if they could arrange to have them shipped to Ottawa. This program is supported by Canadian North Airlines, which flies the dogs to Ottawa for free where they are collected by Humane Society staff.
b) Mr. Doug McGoldrick
Mr. McGoldrick voiced his concern about the length of time that roadways are closed due to police investigations of fatal accidents. He recounted observing a traffic accident on Laurier Avenue where he perceived nothing being done by the officers on scene. He stated that Ottawa does not have many roads and someone has to come up with a way to minimize the length of time the roads are closed in these situations. He doesn’t believe he is the only member of the public with this concern. He would appreciate an explanation from the Board; perhaps it is a Provincial requirement in which case he would lobby the Provincial Government. He can’t see any good reason for this and doesn’t expect to get an answer from the Board, but he wanted to voice his concerns about blocking off roadways during rush hour when conclusions about the accident were probably drawn in the first five minutes.
Chair El-Chantiry noted that all Board members had received copies of email correspondence between Mr. McGoldrick and members of the OPS.
Chief White responded that the police are legislatively required under the Adequacy Standards Regulation to conduct thorough investigations regardless of the incident. He found it offensive that someone would come to a Board meeting to challenge whether or not it is necessary to close a road when a traffic fatality has occurred. To suggest that closing a road is unnecessary shows a lack of understanding of what is involved in investigating a death on the road.
Member MacEwen stated that the delegation had in fact received a great deal of information via email from Inspector G. Meehan in response to his question. It was unfair of Mr. McGoldrick to publicly state he had received no answers when in fact he had and the answers provided were very thorough.
Chair El-Chantiry recommended to the delegation that if he was unsatisfied with Chief White’s response he would be provided with information to file a complaint with the Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD) or he could pursue the matter with the Provincial Government. He further explained that this was an operational matter and as such the Board could not interfere. The officers who conduct these investigations are experts in what they do and their work must be respected.
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.)
·Review of Cellblock Operations: Update #4;
·Nemet Homicide;
·Ledoux Homicide;
·Project Lancaster;
·Guns & Gangs / DART;
·Garon Homicide;
·Riopelle Homicide.
Review of Cellblock Operations: Update #4
Chair El-Chantiry noted that during his verbal report the Chief mentioned that the internal disciplinary process now underway relates to the action of two civilian members (Special Constables) and that no further information would be disclosed. He wanted to clarify for new Board members that in 2001 this Board was one of the first in the Province to ask that other mechanisms be put in place for oversight of all special constables, who do not have the same level of accountability as police officers.
Member Doyle thanked the Chief for giving her the opportunity to tour the cellblock where unpleasant situations do occur. She commended the Chief and staff for the procedure changes that have been implemented as well as the addition of audio recording.
Responding to Member MacEwen’s request to explain the process used when disciplining Special Constables, Chief White stated the process is not different from most labour cases involving civilian members. The challenge in Ontario is that Special Constables do not fall under an act that deals with police officers; instead they are dealt with as civilians under Labour Law. It would be simpler if Special Constables could be managed within the same realm as police officers. Oversight bodies such as the Special Investigative Unit (SIU) and the OIPRD are experiencing some level of frustration with this since there has been a dramatic increase in special constable roles within other organizations. Discussions have been ongoing for almost six years around changes to the Police Services Act (PSA), which many feel are necessary, and he believes the opportunity exists this year for further discussions between the Ontario Association of Police Services Boards (OAPSB), the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP) and Queen’s Park.
That the Ottawa Police Services Board receive this report for information.
RECEIVED
2. OTTAWA POLICE SERVICE ANNUAL REPORT: “2010: A YEAR IN REVIEW”
Chief’s report dated 22 March 2011
2010 Annual Report released at the meeting
Presentation
Mr. R. Mar, Director, Planning, Performance & Analytics, was accompanied by Mr. B. Westcott and Mr. R. McEachran for the presentation of the 2010 Annual Report. Mr. Mar explained that for the first time, it is available electronically in an interactive digital format, while still being available in a downloadable, print format. Moving into the digital online format offers numerous benefits, including: improving the quality and interactivity; allowing for easy search by viewers; providing more capacity for articles and content; extending the life of the report (availability throughout the year); and, being environmentally responsible. Viewers can access either English or French versions. (A copy of the presentation will be kept on file with the Board’s Executive Director.)
Following the presentation and online demonstration, Mr. Mar noted that there were many contributors, civilian and sworn members as well as partners from within the community. This is the look of the future and an opportunity to do away with excess use of paper. A range of tools exists to reach out to the public, including traditional paper ads as well as the electronic stream of alerts (list servers), bulletin boards and various email distribution lists through community partners. This presents a great template for moving forward.
Chief White took the opportunity to thank and congratulate Mr. Mar and staff involved in developing this version of the report. He believes the OPS is the second police service in the country to produce its annual report in this manner. It is a very professional document that will live on.
In response to questions from Board members, the following points of clarification made:
· The complete budget to produce, distribute and advertise the Ottawa Police Service 2009 Annual Report was $24,000.
· A 10% cost reduction, equaling approximately $2,500, was realized in producing the 2010 Annual Report electronically. Some of the money that would have been used for printing and distributing was put towards development costs. Moving forward there will be further reductions as the template has already been developed.
· The primary tool being used to track usage of this document is through Google Analytics, which is a free tool that can be embedded into the website and is currently being used on ottawapolice.ca. There is also a survey included in the report which relates to the content, as well as pathways tracking how people arrive at the site.
· It was suggested that links be created on the City of Ottawa and Library websites to the OPS 2010 Annual Report.
· The City will no longer be printing its Annual Report; it will now be available on a DVD.
That the Ottawa Police Services Board receive this report, presentation, and on-line demonstration for information.
RECEIVED
3. BOARD POLICY ON PUBLIC REWARDS
Policy and Governance Committee’s report dated 5 March 2011
That the Ottawa Police Services Board approve:
1. The revised policy on Public Rewards attached as Annex A.
2. An amendment to the Financial Accountability Procedures Manual (By-law #1 of 2008) to include a delegation of authority to the Chief to offer public rewards up to a limit of $100,000, provided there are funds available within the existing budget.
CARRIED
4. “RINGSIDE FOR YOUTH” FUNDRAISING EVENT FOR THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF OTTAWA
Executive Director’s report dated 22 March 2011
That the Ottawa Police Services Board approve the purchase of a half table at the “Ringside for Youth XVII” Dinner and Boxing Night fundraising event for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Ottawa being held on 26 May 2011 at the Aberdeen Pavilion, Lansdowne Park, at a cost of $800.00.
CARRIED
5. RESPONSE TO OUTSTANDING INQUIRY I-11-02: LIQUOR LICENCE ACT INSPECTORS
Chief’s report dated 22 March 2011
Chair El-Chantiry expressed his appreciation to the Chief and staff for the prompt response to his inquiry.
That the Ottawa Police Services Board receive this report for information.
RECEIVED
6. PROMOTION PROCESS: 2010 ANNUAL REPORT
Chief’s report dated 22 March 2011
That the Ottawa Police Services Board receive this report for information.
RECEIVED
7. SENIOR OFFICERS’ ASSIGNMENT QUARTERLY UPDATE
Chief’s report dated 22 March 2011 1
That the Ottawa Police Services Board receive this report for information.
RECEIVED
8. OUTSTANDING BOARD INQUIRIES & MOTIONS: MARCH 2011
Executive Director’s report dated 22 March 2011
That the Ottawa Police Services Board receive this report for information.
RECEIVED
9. LETTERS OF COMMENDATION
Chief’s report dated 22 March 2011
Member Watson asked the Chief if the commendation letters were posted on the internet; he wondered if it would be too much trouble to have them translated as he thought it would be good to post them so long as no privacy rules were breached. Chief White confirmed that the letters of commendation were already posted on the website.
That the Ottawa Police Services Board receive this report for information.
10. NOTICE OF MOTION – CHANGE IN MEETING START TIME
Moved by Member Harder
Member Harder explained that the purpose of her motion was to receive feedback on the suggestion of changing the meeting start time on a permanent basis; as a Councillor and from a time management perspective, she thought it could be beneficial.
Chair El-Chantiry said that one of the challenges with changing the start time is
that this is a public meeting and members of the public are usually still at
their jobs at 4:00 p.m. Member Doyle expressed the same concern about
curtailing the ability for people to attend, as the Board encourages public
participation. She suggested that when necessary the start time of a meeting could
be changed periodically, but she had concerns about permanently changing the
start time to 4:00 p.m. as she sometimes must attend court which doesn’t end
until 4:30 or 5:00 p.m.
Member Harder reiterated that it was just a suggestion and she would withdraw her motion.
That the Ottawa Police Services Board approve a permanent start time for monthly Board meetings of 4:00 p.m. rather than 5:00 p.m.
WITHDRAWN
OTHER BUSINESS
11. MAY 2, 2011 MEETING – TIME CHANGE
Chair El-Chantiry noted that the Federal Election will be taking place on May 2, 2011, the same day as the Board’s next regular meeting. After some discussion it was decided that the start time for the May 2nd meeting only would change from 5:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., and that the agenda would be kept light.
COMMUNICATIONS
a) 700 MHz Broadband
- letter dated March 21, 2011 from E. Kolb, Chair, Peel Police Services Board, asking for support on dedicating a portion of the 700 MHz broadband to Public Safety Agencies
Moved by Jim MacEwen
That the Ottawa Police Services Board:
1. Endorse the resolution approved by the Chairs of the “Big 12” Police Services Boards calling on the Federal and Provincial governments to dedicate and reserve 20 MHz of the 700 MHz broadband for mission critical broadband data use by public safety agencies; and
2. Convey its support to the Federal and Provincial Ministers responsible for Public Safety, Industry Canada and the Premier of Ontario.
CARRIED
CONSIDERATION OF MOTION TO MOVE IN CAMERA
Moved by Member Watson
That the Ottawa Police Services Board adjourn the public portion of its meeting to move In Camera to discuss confidential items pertaining to legal matters, in accordance with Section 35(4)(b) of the Police Services Act.
CARRIED
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 6:10 p.m.
____________________________ _____________________________
W. Fedec E. El-Chantiry
Executive Director Chair