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Ottawa Police Services Board
Minutes 11
Monday, 25 July
2011, 5:00 p.m.
Champlain Room, 110 Laurier Avenue West, Ottawa
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Present: Councillor E. El-Chantiry (Chair), A. Doyle, H. Jensen, C. Nicholson
Regrets: J. MacEwen, J. Harder, J. Watson
ELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR
Ms. Fedec, Board Executive Director, explained that in accordance with Section 28 of the Police Services Act and the Ottawa Police Services Board Procedural By-law, the Board must elect a Chair and a Vice Chair at its first meeting each year. In January the Board was still waiting for new appointments and decided to appoint a Chair for six months only. As that time is now up, it is necessary to again hold an election for both positions. Accordingly, she requested nominations for the position of Chair.
Member Doyle put forward a Motion that Member El-Chantiry be nominated to the position of Chair for the remainder of the year.
The Executive Director called for any additional nominations. There being none, the following motion was considered:
Moved by Member Doyle
That the Ottawa Police Services Board appoint E. El-Chantiry as Chair of the Board for the remainder of the year.
CARRIED
Chair El-Chantiry then asked for nominations for Vice Chair.
Member Jensen moved that Member MacEwen be nominated to the position of Vice Chair of the Ottawa Police Services Board.
Chair El-Chantiry indicated that Member MacEwen was on annual leave, however, he had provided written acceptance of the nomination to the position of Vice Chair.
There being no other nominations, the following motion was considered:
Moved by H. Jensen
That the Ottawa Police Services Board appoint J. MacEwen as Vice Chair of the Board for remainder of the year.
CARRIED
CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES
That the Ottawa Police Services Board confirm the Minutes of the 27 June 2011 meeting.
CARRIED
PUBLIC DELEGATIONS
a) Civil Liberties Association
Presentation by Mr. David Burton
Mr. Burton expressed concern on behalf of the Civil Liberties Association regarding the Board’s Policy CR-6 – Public Consultation, and how some of the policy requirements are not being met. He believes that the OPS should have a formal public consultation policy in both hard copy and in electronic form that will allow the public and different organizations, such as the Civil Liberties Association, to consult with the OPS on a formal and regular basis if they wish. (A copy of Mr. Burton’s presentation will be kept on file with the Board’s Executive Director.)
Member Jensen referenced Item 14 on the agenda “Board Monitoring Requirements Status Report: Second Quarter 2011”, and pointed out that a requirement for a Public Consultation Policy Annual Report exists.
Chair El-Chantiry said that the Board is aware of the gaps in the Consultation Policy requirements and appreciated the speaker bringing them to its attention. Staff are working to address them, and the annual report is scheduled to be submitted to the Board in September.
ITEMS OF BUSINESS
A/Chief Larochelle reported on the following items:
(A copy of the A/Chief’s verbal report will be kept on file with the Board’s Executive Director and is available online at ottawapoliceboard.ca.)
·
YIPI Program;
·
Flotilla for Friendship;
·
Royal Visit & Canada Day;
· City Archives;
· Infant Left in Car;
· Constable Andree Leduc;
· Rainstorm;
· Project Erase;
· Status Report on the 2011 Ottawa Police Gala;
· King Fisher Evacuation.
Rainstorm
On behalf of Mayor Watson, Chair El-Chantiry commended the OPS officers and the volunteers involved with Bluesfest for keeping the crowds calm under the circumstances and ensuring everyone was safely re-located after the main stage blew over.
King Fisher Evacuation
Chair El-Chantiry wished to thank all the city services including: Paramedics, Police, and Public Health, and their respective management teams for the great work that occurred. On behalf of the Mayor and his Council colleagues, he commended the cooperation between the internal and external agencies involved with the evacuation.
That the Ottawa Police Services Board receive this report for information.
RECEIVED
2. OTTAWA POLICE GALA – FUNDRAISER IN SUPPORT OF THE OTTAWA MISSION
Executive Director’s report dated 19 July 2011
That the Ottawa Police Services Board approve the purchase of a table at the Second Annual Ottawa Police Gala being held on October 29, 2011 at the Ottawa Convention Centre, at a cost of $1,150.
CARRIED
3. ATTENDANCE AT ONTARIO ASSOCIATION OF POLICE SERVICES BOARDS’ FALL SEMINAR
Executive Director’s report dated 19 July 2011
That the Ottawa Police Services Board approve the attendance of H. Jensen at the Ontario Association of Police Services Boards (OAPSB) Seminar being held at the Doubletree by Hilton, Toronto Airport on September 29 – 30, 2011.
CARRIED
4. CANADIAN ASSOCIATION OF POLICE BOARDS: NOTICE OF 2011 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING & RESOLUTIONS
Executive Director’s report dated 19 July 2011
Member Jensen said he was not attending the conference in Regina, however, after having read the resolutions to be considered at the annual general meeting it occurred to him that perhaps everybody was not fully informed of some of the issues occurring elsewhere. He then expressed his concerns about some specific resolutions.
Chair El-Chantiry explained that the resolutions contained in the package were submitted to the CAPB by police services boards across Canada and were then circulated to all board members for comment. He suggested Member Jensen prepare a written summary of his concerns and forward them to he or Member Doyle, who are both attending the conference, and they will submit the comments on his behalf.
That the Ottawa Police Services Board receive for information the Notice of Annual General Meeting and the Resolutions to be considered at the 2011 Canadian Association of Police Boards’ Annual Conference.
RECEIVED
5. APPOINTMENT OF SPECIAL CONSTABLES – R.C.M.P.
Chief’s report dated 19 July 2011
That the Ottawa Police Services Board approve the appointment of the R.C.M.P. members listed in 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.
CARRIED
6. WORKFORCE MANAGEMENT REPORT – SECOND QUARTER 2011
Chief’s report dated 19 July 2011
That the Ottawa Police Services Board approve the appointment of three (3) experienced sworn officers hired in Q2, in accordance with Section 31(1) (a) of the Police Services Act.
CARRIED
7. 2010 – 2012 BUSINESS PLAN - SEMI-ANNUAL STATUS REPORT (JANUARY TO JUNE 2011)
Chief’s report dated 19 July 2011
That the Ottawa Police Services Board receive this report for information.
RECEIVED
8. FINANCIAL STATUS REPORT – SECOND QUARTER 2011
Chief’s report dated 19 July 2011
Chair El-Chantiry asked if staff would be providing recommendations on how a year end shortfall would be covered should it occur. Director General Frazer explained the report shows the OPS are very close to a balanced budget for year end. Fuel charges as a variable cost are being closely monitored and, if necessary, staff will initiate reduction strategies to ensure the budget is kept as balanced as possible. Another status report will be submitted in October and will identify any reduction strategies put in place.
That the Ottawa Police Services Board receive this report for information.
RECEIVED
9. ASSET MANAGEMENT REPORT 2010
Chief’s report dated 19 July 2011
That the Ottawa Police Services Board receive this report for information.
RECEIVED
10. COMPLAINTS REPORT, PART V – POLICE SERVICES ACT – SECOND QUARTER 2011
Chief’s report dated 19 July 2011
With the decline in statistics, Member Jensen believes the OPS is being quite effective in terms of handling complaints and dealing with them from a public, investigative and disciplinary point of view. Much of the work that has been done by the OPS over the past year with respect to training and the reinforcement of policy is reflective in this positive report. Complaints of improper conduct have also diminished significantly and officers should be commended.
Responding to a question from Member Doyle regarding the reasons for the decrease in the number of complaints over the past year, A/Chief Larochelle explained that the OPS is involved in conflict resolution, an approach supported by the Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIRPD). With conflict resolution, if the complainant is prepared to meet with the officers a resolution can often be worked out. In more serious matters, where parties agree, the OPS engages personnel from an outside organization, the Canadian International Institute for Applied Negotiations, who use a formal process to resolve complaints.
Regarding recent publicity on cases where charges are being thrown out or stayed, Member Doyle asked what, if anything, is being done to reduce these types of complaints. A/Chief Larochelle explained older cases from 2008 are in the news now. An outside agency and the Professional Standards Section have reviewed the cases in question for misconduct and none were found to involve excessive force. The review identified a need for new training for special constables, and he believed that with the implementation of the new training the number of complaints will continue to decline.
Chair El-Chantiry asked if the OIRPD was still experiencing delays or was their caseload up to date. Insp. T. Youngson-Larochelle, Quality Assurance and Professional Standards, responded that OIPRD’s first full year of business was 2010. New, tighter timelines have been implemented since its inception, therefore investigations and complaints are being handled more quickly.
That the Ottawa Police Services Board receive this report for information.
RECEIVED
11. LEGAL SERVICES REPORT – SECOND QUARTER 2011
Board Solicitor’s report dated 13 July 2011
That the Ottawa Police Services Board receive this report for information.
RECEIVED
12. REPORT ON S.I.U. INVESTIGATION – MOTOR VEHICLE COLLISION WITH INJURIES – MARCH 2011
Chief’s report dated 19 July 2011
That the Ottawa Police Services Board receive this report for information.
RECEIVED
13. REPORT ON S.I.U. INVESTIGATION – INJURY DURING ARREST – APRIL 2011
Chief’s report dated 19 July 2011
That the Ottawa Police Services Board receive this report for information.
RECEIVED
14. BOARD MONITORING REQUIREMENTS STATUS REPORT – SECOND QUARTER 2011
Executive Director’s report dated 19 July 2011
That the Ottawa Police Services Board receive this report for information.
RECEIVED
15. OUTSTANDING BOARD INQUIRIES & MOTIONS: JULY 2011
Executive Director’s report dated 14 July 2011
That the Ottawa Police Services Board receive this report for information.
RECEIVED
16. LETTERS OF COMMENDATION
Chief’s report dated 19 July 2011
That the Ottawa Police Services Board receive this report for information.
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 5:45 p.m.
____________________________ _____________________________
W. Fedec E. El-Chantiry
Executive Director Chair