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Ottawa Police Services Board
Minutes 8
Monday, 30 May 2011, 5:00 p.m.
Champlain Room, 110 Laurier Avenue West, Ottawa
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Present: Councillor E. El-Chantiry (Chair), A. Doyle, 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 2 May 2011 meeting.
CARRIED
CEREMONIAL ACTIVITIES/ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mother Theresa Catholic High School, Barrhaven
Member Harder thanked Chief White and members of the Ottawa Police Service for the extraordinary work they did at Mother Theresa Catholic High School last Thursday and Friday after the explosion in the auto shop. She acknowledged that they are doing their job, however, they have continued to communicate with the students, and it is the work that uniform police officers and other emergency responders do afterwards that is building confidence in the school. She appreciates the expertise and the caring the officers have shown in this situation.
Chair El-Chantiry echoed Member Harder’s comments and expressed his gratitude to the Police and other City services involved; their work is greatly appreciated.
Chief White offered condolences on behalf of the Ottawa Police Service.
PUBLIC DELEGATIONS
a) Civil Liberties Association
Presentation by Mr. David Burton, Board Member
On behalf of the Civil Liberties Association, Mr. Burton requested that the Board hold a public interest meeting on “Civil Liberties, Law Enforcement, Police Conduct and Police Action” as part of their Public Interest Agenda, which is aimed at enhancing community engagement and education about issues of concern to citizens of Ottawa. (A copy of Mr. Burton’s presentation will be kept on file with the Board’s Executive Director.)
Member Jensen noted the speaker incorrectly stated that the Board is required to hold four public interest meetings each year. The Board’s Communications and Community Outreach Policy states, “The Board will be proactive in engaging, educating and hearing from the public by holding up to four public interest meetings a year on topics of broad community concern or interest.” The suggestion of holding a public interest meeting on Civil Liberties was of interest to him, however, he was unsure how members of the public would respond. On a final point, Member Jensen took issue with the suggestion that there is absolutely no mention of civil liberties or the Charter of Rights – every Board member takes an Oath of Office that contains a provision to uphold the Constitution of Canada, which includes the Charter of Rights.
In response to questions posed by Member Watson, Mr. Burton stated that the Ottawa Civil Liberties Association represents approximately 50 members, with more associations across Canada. His presentation this evening was on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Ottawa Chapter.
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.)
·Cst. Jason Meehan;
·Volunteer Service Award Presentation;
·Appointment of Toni Francis to Position of Director of Employee Relations;
·Ian Fisher Wins Prestigious M. Patrick Gillin President’s Award;
·Police Week;
·Update on OPP Outcomes Regarding Stacy Bonds;
·Idle Reduction Initiative;
·Crime Stoppers;
·Drug Unit – Stats;
·Death of Civilian Member - Brenda Landry.
Death of Civilian Member - Brenda Landry
On behalf of the Board, Chair El-Chantiry wished to pass along condolences and prayers to Ms. Landry’s family and members of the Police Service for their loss. She will be greatly missed.
Idle Reduction Initiative
Chair El-Chantiry asked that a report be brought back to the Board with updates on this pilot project. Chief White said that a vast majority of the products used were purchased off the shelf; the fact that the products are being used in this environment is important. There are currently three vehicles equipped with the new idle reduction technology and the Service will be increasing that number to 30. Staff will monitor the 30 vehicles to get a better understanding of the initiative and to ensure it is working appropriately. He confirmed that a report on the progress and success of the program would be prepared by the Director General and brought forward in six months.
That the Ottawa Police Services Board receive this report for information.
RECEIVED
Presentation
Deputy Chief C. Bordeleau explained that the Auxiliary Policing Program is a two year pilot that started in 2009 and the presentation represents their 2010 successes. In the fall a report will be presented to the Board concluding the pilot program and will contain recommendations for moving forward. He then introduced the Auxiliary Officers who would be participating in the presentation: Ms. T. Petraznyk, Mr. K. Holman and Mr. S. Kelly as well as Constables G. Burns and M. Nethercott, liaison officers for the Auxiliary Program. (A copy of the presentation will be kept on file with the Board’s Executive Director.)
Member Watson thanked the presenters and congratulated them on a great volunteer program. He asked how many individuals initially applied to the program and if they receive a per diem similar to what volunteer firefighters receive. Cst. Burns did not have the actual number of individuals who applied, however, 15 members is what they were originally looking for. Thirteen members were hired and one has since resigned. A recruitment process is underway and previous applicants are being contacted, the goal is to bring the total number of members up to 15. Auxiliary members do not receive a per diem; their service is strictly on a volunteer basis.
Chief White clarified that over 40 applications were originally received for the positions. There is an agreement with the Ottawa Police Association due to concerns about replacing sworn officers and their duties. One of the reasons this group is so successful is because they have focused on crime prevention and community engagement, which he feels is a different and better approach than what is being used elsewhere. The program will be reviewed again in September to determine whether or not an expansion is possible. He congratulated the members for volunteering their time so generously.
Chair El-Chantiry noted some of the Auxiliary Officers’ time was spent on installing child car seats. He wanted to know if these clinics were held in one place or in various places across the City. Cst. Nethercott explained that the program is currently under review and has been suspended. Historically an agency would have contacted the OPS for support; as the primary organizer, the agency would have decided the location of the clinic.
Chief White added that concern has been raised around car seat installations and the civil responsibility owned by the police service if the installation was done incorrectly. Discussions with the City about the legal indemnification of improper installations are ongoing.
Member Harder stated that the Ottawa Public Health Board will be receiving provincial funding to help with the initial start-up of a car seat clinic and they will be looking to partner with the OPS.
Member Doyle echoed the comments about the great work the Auxiliary Officers are doing, and she is proud of what they do for the community.
That the Ottawa Police Services Board receive this presentation for information.
RECEIVED
3. BYWARD MARKET STREET AMBASSADOR PROGRAM: 2010 ANNUAL REPORT AND 2011 FUNDING
Chief’s report dated 24 May 2011
Member Watson thought this program offered a very good and visible service. He hoped that eventually the program could be expanded to cover other busy streets, however, additional funds would be required. The program is well appreciated and the individuals act as goodwill ambassadors for the City.
Chief White agreed this is a great program and difficult to continue financially. The OPS will be bringing a recommendation to the Board in the fall, asking that it consider an application process and open the program up to additional sources of funding. Vanier runs a similar program very successfully, while Elgin Street and other BIAs are becoming more involved in this type of program.
Member Watson suggested the Chief communicate with Mr. J. Manconi, General Manager, Public Works, to discuss an idea involving corporate sponsors and creating a program similar to one in Montreal. The City of Montreal hired students who were also musicians to clean the streets while entertaining members of the public. Corporate sponsorship could be generated by such a program if it was run in different areas of the City. Chief White concurred and said he would have the divisional officer contact Mr. Manconi.
That the Ottawa Police Services Board continue to endorse the Street Ambassador program and approve the release of a $10,000.00 contribution to the ByWard Market Business Improvement Area for operation of the program in 2011.
CARRIED
4. FEE INCREASES FOR RELEASE OF DOCUMENTS AND DATA RELATED TO MAJOR COLLISION INVESTIGATIONS
Chief’s report dated 24 May 2011
At the Chair’s request, Chief White clarified that over 17,000 motor vehicle accident reports are written up each year. Roughly 45 of those reports require full accident reconstructions, which are the subject of the fee increases. There has been an increased requirement in resources, equipment and training to complete and support the complex investigations of major collisions. While the costs associated with these investigations have risen, there has been no corresponding increase in cost recovery for these materials when supplied to insurance companies, who benefit greatly from the information contained in the reports. The funds recovered through a change in fee structure could be utilized to offset costs associated with these investigations. Chief White stated that Ottawa has been behind in the fees it has been charging and this is an attempt to catch up.
That the Ottawa Police Service Board approve an increase in fees for the release of documents and data relating to Major Collision Investigations as set out in this report.
CARRIED
5. ATTENDANCE AT 2011 CANADIAN ASSOCIATION OF POLICE BOARDS ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Executive Director’s report dated 25 May 2011
That the Ottawa Police Services Board approve the attendance of E. El-Chantiry, A. Doyle and W. Fedec at the 2011 Canadian Association of Police Boards’ Conference being held in Regina, Saskatchewan from 18-20 August 2011.
CARRIED
6. REPORT ON THE ONTARIO ASSOCIATION OF POLICE SERVICES BOARDS’ ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Verbal report from Member Nicholson
Member Nicholson recently attended his first Ontario Association of Police Services Boards (OAPSB) conference. He encouraged other members to attend these conferences as they present good training opportunities. At this conference he gained a better understanding of what a board member’s role and place is within the civilian oversight system in Ontario. Training was also offered on police board policy and governance responsibilities, the new police complaints system, and police oversight. There were several presentations made by government agencies and the announcement was made that provincially appointed board members would be able to serve a maximum of eight years rather than the current six years. He found the Annual General Meeting (AGM) interesting as it gave him a sense of how decisions are made. The OAPSB is having their 2012 conference in Ottawa and this Board must assist with the conference program. Finally, it was a great opportunity to meet with other board members and hear how their boards function.
That the Ottawa Police Services Board receive this report for information.
RECEIVED
7. CRIME, POLICE, AND TRAFFIC STATISTICS: 2010 ANNUAL REPORT
Chief’s report dated 24 May 2011
Member Jensen found the report interesting and noted that it presents a good picture of Ottawa and the role the OPS is playing to make the community safer. Referring to the Reduced Impaired Driving Everywhere (RIDE) Program, he said that the OAPSB successfully lobbied the provincial government for funding. He pointed out that 112 programs were conducted in Ottawa over the course of 2010 and 375 roadside demands were administered. He believes the RIDE program has a good public impact and it probably prevents potential impaired drivers from taking to the road, but he questioned whether or not it is an economic allocation of police resources.
Chief White acknowledged it is a challenge to run the RIDE program with the number of staff they have allocated. The nights when a RIDE program is run are usually busy nights to begin with. With the number of people killed in this province because of having alcohol or drugs in their system, the economics of the program take a back seat to safety. Impaired driving has been identified as a serious concern and a more targeted enforcement program has been implemented, which might account for the increased number of impaired driving charges. He said he would provide Member Jensen with the number of Provincial grants the OPS has received through the RIDE Program.
Member Jensen understood that the Chief viewed the RIDE Program as a very effective deterrent. The Chief clarified that he isn’t sure it is a deterrent for individuals leaving a bar, however, it might encourage people to leave their vehicle at home when they are sober. Australia has a tremendously successful program that deals with impaired and other types of driving. It uses the shock factor; he is unsure whether or not Canadians would accept this type of program, but he feels these shock programs are a great deterrent. The Chief noted that typically drunk drivers are middle aged individuals and not kids.
Responding to Member Jensen’s question about a solvency rate of over 100%, Chief White explained there are times when solvency rates are skewed because of year end results that are carried over from the previous year.
Member Doyle asked how the Service was dealing with the increase in drug offences that appear to be happening in several areas of the City. Chief White said that an increase in drug offences typically is the result of proactive drug enforcement in a specific area.
That the Ottawa Police Services Board receive this report for information.
RECEIVED
8. PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS SECTION – 2010 ANNUAL REPORT
Chief’s report dated 24 May 2011
That the Ottawa Police Services Board receive this report for information.
RECEIVED
9. NON EXECUTIVE SUCCESSION PLAN – 2010 ANNUAL REPORT
Chief’s report dated 24 May 2011
That the Ottawa Police Services Board receive this report for information.
RECEIVED
10. AUDIT PLAN – 2011
Chief’s report dated 24 May 2011
That the Ottawa Police Services Board receive this report for information.
RECEIVED
11. THOMAS G. FLANAGAN, S.C. SCHOLARSHIP AWARD – 2011
Chief’s report dated 24 May 2011
That the Ottawa Police Services Board receive this report for information.
RECEIVED
12. EMPLOYER OF CHOICE STATUS REPORT – FIRST QUARTER 2011
Chief’s report dated 24 May 2011
That the Ottawa Police Services Board receive this report for information.
RECEIVED
13. COMPLAINTS REPORT - PART V, POLICE SERVICES ACT - FIRST QUARTER 2011
Chief’s report dated 24 May 2011
That the Ottawa Police Services Board receive this report for information.
RECEIVED
14. OUTSTANDING BOARD INQUIRIES & MOTIONS: MAY 2011
Executive Director’s report dated 25 May 2011
That the Ottawa Police Services Board receive this report for information.
RECEIVED
15. LETTERS OF COMMENDATION
Chief’s report dated 24 May 2011
That the Ottawa Police Services Board receive this report for information.
COMMUNICATIONS
a) 700 MHZ BROADBAND
- letter dated 20 April 2011 from the Premier of Ontario, Dalton McGuinty, in response to the Board’s letter dated 30 March 2011
That the Ottawa Police Services Board receive this communication for information.
RECEIVED
b) 700 MHZ BROADBAND
- letter dated 11 May 2011 from the Honourable Jim Bradley, Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services, in response to the Halton Regional Police Services Board letter dated 4 April 2011
That the Ottawa Police Services Board receive this communication for information.
RECEIVED
CONSIDERATION OF MOTION TO MOVE IN CAMERA
Moved by Member 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 matters, in accordance with Section 35(4)(b) of the Police Services Act.
CARRIED
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m.
____________________________ _____________________________
W. Fedec E. El-Chantiry
Executive Director Chair