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REPORT RAPPORT |
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DATE:
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21 June 2011 |
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TO/DEST:
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Executive Director, Ottawa Police Services Board |
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FROM/EXP:
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Chief of Police, Ottawa Police Service |
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SUBJECT/OBJET:
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LETTERS OF COMMENDATION
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RECOMMENDATION
That the Ottawa Police Services Board receive this report for information.
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: 01 May 2011
From: Member of the Public
OPS Member: Sergeant Andy Roach
Excerpts from Email: I would like to take this opportunity to thank Sgt Roach for the way he delegated a matter that I brought to his attention, and the way it had been handled. Not only did he address the issue, he also dealt with the way I was treated. Sgt Roach proved to be very courteous and professional in his mannerism.
Date Received: 01 May 2011
From: Member of the Public
OPS Member: Rene Joly
Excerpts from Email: I wish to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart for everything that was done during this sad time. You have been a tremendous help to the family when we learned of my Uncle’s passing. You helped my Mother, Aunts and my Uncle to deal with the situation. I learned that the flags were at half-mast at the police station here in Ottawa for my Uncle, that flowers were put on his desk when my family attended the police station. People at the station spent time talking with my family to help and support them. All of these things helped us through a very sad day by letting us know how much my Uncle was loved and respected by his colleagues and his friends. I want to also send a special thanks to everyone who attended the funeral and to the person who read some wonderful words in church, those little anecdotes were much appreciated and helped brighten my day.
Date Received: 01 May 2011
From: Suzanne Dugas, Director, La Cité Collégiale
OPS Member: Constable Josette Senecal
Excerpts from Letter: On behalf of Professor Gerard Sabourin thank you for allowing Cst Senecal to do a presentation to our students.
Date Received: 03 May 2011
From: Member of the Public
OPS Member: Constable Aaron Casselman
Excerpts from Email: I would like to thank Cst Casselman for his help at our store. He was very professional, patient and a pleasure to meet.
Date Received: 10 May 2011
From: Member of the Public
OPS Members: Constable Adam Gal, Constable Martin Kovac & Sgt Michael Herasimenko
Excerpts from Email: I am writing to commend three officers, as well as the 911 operator, firemen and paramedics. My husband died at home in his office chair. The 911 operator (who was also efficient) had me doing compressions on my husband when the officers arrived and took over. The fire department and paramedics then arrived. Cst Gal and Cst Kovac were efficient, caring and so respectful to me and to my adult daughter and son. When it was determined that my husband was deceased, Sgt Herasimenko called Kelly’s Funeral home. Cst Gal and Cst Kovac stayed with us the entire time until a vehicle could be sent from downtown to help carry my husband’s body downstairs. So often citizens are quick to condemn and I think it is equally fair to praise when something is done right. I would like to thank your officers and all those who assisted to make such a traumatic experience bearable.
Date Received: 10 May 2011
From: Member of the Public
OPS Members: Sergeant Brian Mieske, Sergeant Al Ferris, Sergeant Stu Feldman, Sergeant Scott Lawson, Constable Trevor MacMillan, Constable Dave Lamont, Constable Christie Scheerder, Constable Matthew Clarke, Constable Frank Perron, Constable Steve Coulthart, Constable Rick Comba, Constable Tommy Jellinek, Constable Dan Testa, Constable Ed Barry, Constable Julie Mann, Constable Alain Cammaert, Constable Michael Compton, Constable James Casey, Sergeant Mark Gatien, Constable Francis Mask, Constable Sean Ralph, Constable Kenneth Muse, Constable Ken Kit, Constable Paul Cahill and Constable Jasdeep Bajwa
Excerpts from Letter: On behalf of our family, I would like to express our sincere appreciation to the men and women of the Ottawa Police Service who assisted in providing an escort for my mother’s funeral. It was conducted with absolute impeccable precision (in the rain I might add), by Sgt Mieske and Sgt Ferris. It is of particular note that in addition to the on duty members, an additional seven members participated on their own time. Our mother was a very special person and despite one of her sons being a member, she was always a proud support of the Ottawa Police Service. Thank you for being a special and memorable part of the celebration of the life of our mother.
Date Received: 11 May 2011
From: Member of the Public
OPS Members: Staff Sergeant John Medeiros, Constable Stephane Plummer, Constable Scott Lawrence, Constable Derek McCluskey
Excerpts from Letter: The purpose of this letter is to thank the Ottawa Police Service for their fine work. Cst McCluskey called my residence and asked me to identify a power tool and propane torch that had been stolen from my unlocked work shop at the rear of my home. Apparently my shop was being raided at regular intervals by two juvenile boys who stole expensive power tools that were easy to conceal in a knap sack. The tools were indeed mine as one of them had my name on it. Other under cover police officers in the area of my home spotted these bandits in my backyard and radioed for uniformed officers to attend, resulting in the boys being caught. A couple of days later, Cst McCluskey returned my tools to me at my home. I am so pleased that with all that the police have to do in a day, that they cared enough to watch my home and apprehend these boys.
Date Received: 16 May 2011
From: Javier Ramirez, Father, Saint Anthony’s Church
OPS Member: Sergeant Denis Hull, Sergeant Frank D’Aoust, Constable Andrew Milton, Constable Christopher Cochrane, Constable Jennifer Gourgon, Constable Adam Collins, and Constable Quinn McCabe
Excerpts from Letter: On behalf of Saint Anthony’s Church and the Servite Fathers, I wanted to let you know how much I personally appreciated the help we received from the Ottawa Police Service during our Good Friday procession. In particular, I wish to thank Sgt Hull, Sgt D’Aoust, Cst Milton, Cst Cochrane, Cst Gourgon, Cst Collins and Cst McCabe who took part in our way of the cross. Without your cooperation, this event would not have been the success that it was. Again, please accept my heartfelt thanks for the extremely generous services donated. The Ottawa Police Service is to be highly commended.
Date Received: 19 May 2011
From: Member of the Public
OPS Members: Auxiliary Members, Brian Bicknell, Judit Marton, Tamara Petrasnyk and Jonathon Rowan
Excerpts from Letter: I want to thank you for inviting us to the Viewmount Neighbourhood Watch Barbeque. It was more meaningful for me this year because of the time I spent talking with some of the Auxiliary Members, from whom I learned a lot. Judit Marton has a great gift in reaching out and promoting the Ottawa Police Service, as well she has mastered the art of active listening. Jonathan Rowan was very helpful and a very nice person. I think he would do a great job in terms of reaching out into the community and serving the community. I was very impressed with both of these Auxiliary members. Your police service ought to be very grateful for them for their work and their ability to liaison and bridge the gap between the police service and the community.
Date Received: 17 May 2011
From: Member of the Public
OPS Members: Constable Tom McFadden, Constable Jonathan Ross, Constable Ronald McCarthy, Constable Pawel Lorentz and Meghan Skinner
Excerpts from Email: We want to acknowledge the following officers who your service can be proud of for their conduct, tact and assistance in very difficult times. These professional police officers are what policing is about. They had excellent people skills, knowledge and effective communication skills. Meghan took our desperate call regarding out daughter’s assault and car theft. It was in the middle of the night. She had a way of communicating with us over the phone which allowed us to maintain our control and also called 5 minutes before the end of her shift to let us know who would replace her. We were 3 hours away from the location of the incident. Cst McCarthy was knowledgeable, demonstrated mindful authority, diligence and caring. All his interactions with us and/or daughter were effective and helpful. Cst McCarthy is a professional and the type of officer one hopes to meet when dealing with the police. Cst Lorentz came by to pick up the cell phone that the suspect dropped when doing a break in. Cst Lorentz was patient, listened, let us vent, reassured us and once again was tactful, discrete and respectful. Cst Ross demonstrated dedication and the private discussion with our daughter opened communication with her and trust. They inspired her and us in a time very dark for all of us. These police officers demonstrated the true spirit of Law Enforcement and they are to be commended.
Date Received: 18 May 2011
From: David Anber, Attorney
OPS Member: Constable Patrick R. Lafreniere
Excerpts from Letter: With several recent news stories criticizing Ottawa Police officers, I thought it would be important to offer commendation and praise to an officer who has recently done exceptional work. I am a criminal defence lawyer here in town. A few months ago, I was the victim of a road rage incident where a person chased me down with their vehicle and then deliberately slammed his door into the side of my door several times and with sufficient force to cause a dent. Several weeks later Cst Lafreniere was assigned to the case. Once he reviewed it, he called me and apologized for the delay that had taken place in attending to my file. Cst Lafreniere indicated to me that he was committed to following up on this incident. He was courteous and professional throughout my dealing with him. Moreover, I found him to be very attentive to the details in my statement and very thorough in his investigation. I found Cst Lafreniere’s investigation to have been done in a highly efficient and highly diligent manner and, throughout he had a positive attitude towards all parties.