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)

Gilles Larochelle

Acting Chief of Police

Attach. (1)

LETTERS OF COMMENDATION

Date Received: 17 May 2011

From: Member of the Public

OPS Member: Inspector Paul Johnston, Inspector Uday Jaswal, Inspector Murray Knowles, Staff Sergeant Kal Ghadban, Staff Sergeant David Thomas and Sergeant Peter Couillard

Excerpts from Email: On behalf of Fairmont Chateau Laurier, I would like to thank you and your organization for your professionalism shown to Fairmont Chateau Laurier. During my tenure at Chateau Laurier, I have been fortunate to work with some outstanding police officers who truly care about their communities which they work in. Members of your police service have handled not only the daily social and economic issues in the district, but events which impact Ottawa such as Canada Day, numerous demonstrations, road closures and internationally protected persons and meetings. I would be remiss if I did not mention the contributions of several officers who made a major impact to the community. Inspector Johnston, Inspector Knowles, Inspector Jaswal, Staff Sergeant Ghadban, Staff Sergeant Thomas and Sergeant Couillard. Sgt. Couillard has made a positive impact in his handling of the leader’s debate. Please convey our appreciation to the members of your organization.

Date Received: 23 May 2011

From: Member of the Public

OPS Member: Constable Jason Mallett

Excerpts from Email: Cst. Mallett is a School Resource Officer (SRO) who works with a number of schools in our area, including my school. As Vice-Principal at our school, there are times when I call upon the assistance of Cst. Mallett to support my school and students in some serious situations. What sets Cst. Mallett apart from other SRO’s is that he makes an effort to interact with our students often and not just when he is called to assist us at the school. The students know him and he knows our students. Cst. Mallett comes out to say hello and has built some very strong relationships with our students and school community. He returns my calls quickly and often happens to be at our school during an incident as he is proactive in doing regular check-ins. Cst. Mallett agrees to help out with positive initiatives as well. Our school council knows him by name and he often makes appearances at events outside of school hours. He has made a number of classroom visits and the students respond to him because he is authentic and personable. I know I don’t stand alone when I say that we really appreciate the role of the SRO. His genuine caring shows through in his constant vigilance and commitment to our school community.

Date Received: 29 May 2011

From: John Ramsay, Assistant Crown Attorney

OPS Members: Acting Sergeant Brian Dodds, Sergeant Walter McIlquham, Constable Ugo Garneau, Constable Sarah Lawson

Excerpts from Email: I am writing you to thank and congratulate the Ottawa Police Service members for their help with a hit and run investigation that happened in July 2008. Ultimately, there were charges laid and the suspect was convicted of dangerous driving causing death, and failure to remain. By the time the file got to me, Cst. Garneau, Sgt. McIlquham, Cst. Lawson, amongst others had done all the hard work required to crack this case wide open. Also their willingness to take their own time to come meet with myself was greatly appreciated, and I hope helpful in ensuring a powerful presentation in front of the jury. From an investigation standpoint, Cst. Garneau was able to break down a list of hundreds of possible suspects to 5. His subsequent interviews of the accused and his wife, as well as his and Sgt. McIlquham’s observations of the suspect’s vehicle proved invaluable. Cst. Lawson’s willingness to go the extra mile in terms of producing photo boards and explaining certain aspects of photography, as well as points of view to the jury were instrumental in this successful prosecution. This investigation involved dozens of other officers who are not named in this email but all of their work was helpful and appreciated. I also wanted to separately thank A/Sgt. Dodds who took over the file back in 2008. His identification of a key witness, and subsequent interviews with the accused and his wife were played for the jury and were essential.

Date Received: 03 June 2011

From: Member of the Public

OPS Members: Sergeant Lawrence McNally and Constable Jim Hutchins

Excerpts from Letter: I had a flat tire and had to pull over on the 417 west bound. My cell phone was broken and I had no way to summon help. I had just started to walk up the highway when they drove up beside me. As a woman walking alone on the highway, I can’t overstate what a relief it was to have the police stop for me. They were on their way to a training exercise but nevertheless took the time to help me. They were so pleasant, made me feel safe and changed my tire. I can’t thank them enough.

Date Received: 07 June 2011

From: Anthony Di Monte, Chief, Ottawa Paramedic Service

OPS Member: Constable Joe Meehan

Excerpts from Letter: Special thanks to you for your quick intervention while responding to a motor vehicle collision at an intersection in the west end in May 2011. Because of your ability to rapidly recognize a cardiac arrest event and initiate immediate resuscitative measures and utilize the automated external defibrillator, we were able to restore the victim’s cardiac rhythm and obtain a positive clinical outcome.

Date Received: 15 June 2011

From: Member of the Public

OPS Member: Constable Claude Parent

Excerpts from Letter: I wanted to write you in recognition of the unusual kindness and sensitivity that Cst. Parent showed my client on the date of her sentencing. The respect that he shows for people from all walks of life is clear, and was greatly appreciated on this occasion. The way that he dealt with my client and her young daughter engenders respect for this officer and for the Ottawa Police Service. Cst. Parent went out of his way to make my client comfortable, to allow her a few words with her younger daughter and close friends, and eased my client’s transition to the Detention Centre in a most humane way.

Date Received: 16 June 2011

From: Member of the Public

OPS Member: Constable Maureen O’Neil and Constable Kevin Birmingham

Excerpts from Letter: My job is helping people in our community and my wife took in a girl who told us she was abused and misunderstood. We later found out it was a mistake. Cst. O’Neil and Cst. Birmingham showed us the truth. I wish to commend them for a job well done. It was handled so professionally, you could never improve their performance.