RECOMMENDATION

 

That the Ottawa Police Services Board approve the appointments of the RCMP members listed in the attached Annex A as Special Constables pursuant to Section 53 of the Police Services Act, in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in the attached Approval of Appointment form.

 

BACKGROUND

 

On 22 May 2003, the Police Services Board reviewed a recommendation concerning an ongoing integrated policing initiative that would see certain members of the RCMP appointed as Special Constables.  The appointments enable the officers to enforce certain Ontario provincial statutes in the City of Ottawa and last for a period of three (3) years. 

 

DISCUSSION

 

The initiative was based on the desire to continually improve the delivery of policing services to the residents of the City of Ottawa by capitalizing on the existing co-operation between the Ottawa Police Service and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The opportunity existed to build on the interoperability of the two services and the goodwill gained during special event policing, and to apply these concepts to day-to-day policing functions.  When implemented, this arrangement should lead to enhanced policing capabilities for both the OPS and the RCMP.

 

In pursuing this initiative, the Ottawa Police Service espoused six key objectives that would enhance the overall delivery of policing services within the boundaries of the City of Ottawa:

 

·         Additional back-up resources for OPS members responding to calls;

·         Increase in community confidence;

·         Enhanced current partnerships in co-operation with the RCMP;

·         Reduced confusion regarding mandates and limits of authority;

·         Enhanced response without usurping mandates;

·         Elimination of artificial barriers.

 

The RCMP also sought to attain a number of important objectives with the appointments of their officers:

 

·         Operational experience for patrol officers;

·         Experience giving and gathering evidence;

·         Increased opportunity for interaction with the public in a policing capacity;

·         Enhanced response capability in the federal mandate;

·         Streamlined communication;

·         Team building.

 

Special Constable designations are authorized by the Board and approved by the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services for a maximum of a five-year term.   A three-year term is being sought for the officers listed in Annex A.

 

Subject to Board approval the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services has indicated a willingness to have the officers listed in Annex A appointed as Special Constables.  These appointments are made under the terms and conditions set out in the Approval of Appointment Form (a sample form is attached as Annex B).

 

Pursuant to Section 53 of the Police Services Act, upon receipt of the Board appointment, the employees will be required to undertake Oaths of Office and Secrecy to be administered by Chief Vern White.

 

 

CONCLUSION

 

The Ottawa Police Service is fortunate to have an excellent working relationship with the RCMP.  This partnership is exemplified by the cooperative work taking place on the streets of Ottawa during special events and on the front-line.  Special Constable status will ensure that this partnership can function at a practical level. 

 

 

(Original signed by)

 

Gilles Larochelle

Acting Chief of Police

 

Attach. (2)