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REPORT RAPPORT |
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REPORT RAPPORT |
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DATE:
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20 September 2011 |
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TO:
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Executive Director, Ottawa Police Services Board |
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FROM:
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Chief of Police, Ottawa Police Service |
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SUBJECT: |
RESPONSE TO OUTSTANDING MOTION M-10-01:
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That the Ottawa Police Services Board receive this report for information.
At the 31 May 2010 Police Services Board meeting, a report was presented to the Board which recommended the establishment of an Ottawa Police Foundation. In addition, the report recommended that an annual gala event be staged to raise funds for the foundation, and to showcase the Service and celebrate its relationship with the community.
The Board approved the gala concept as a standalone event. Accordingly, the first OPS Gala was held on 15 October 2010 in support of Project S.T.E.P. Consideration of a Police Foundation was deferred pending a more comprehensive report on the role that such a foundation would play in supporting police initiatives and the steps required to establish one.
DISCUSSION
Police foundations exist in more than 50 North American cities, both large and small. They are independent from the police service but maintain strong links to the affiliated service. These links are often formal ones and are set out in the governance structure for the board. The foundations are charitable in nature and their primary role is to raise funds on behalf of the police service to support police programs and activities. A secondary role is to generate a strong and visible link between the police service, the foundation and the community.
In its charter or incorporating by-laws, the police foundation establishes the kinds of programs and activities that it will support. Many foundations limit their support to capital assets or one-time programs so that their funding does not pre-empt the municipality’s responsibility to finance basic levels of police service. They rely on advice from the Chief of Police to ensure the initiatives that they fund are aligned with the Chief’s operational plans. In the current North American economic climate, with cutbacks to police funding and staffing levels becoming commonplace, foundations are being called upon to play a greater role to support policing services in their community.
The current charitable donor environment is a dynamic and competitive one. To be successful, a police foundation needs to position itself as a unique entity and attract the donations of those who support policing. The opportunity to give to police activities may attract a new group of donors, or it may re-direct the funds of current givers, thereby reducing the level of funds going to existing charities. The result will be unique to the city, its economic environment, its relationship with the police service and its active charities.
OPS Foundation Not Required
The foundation proposal tabled by staff last year envisioned a unique purpose for an Ottawa Police Foundation: through the efforts of the Foundation Board, police personnel and the community, it would raise funds to support charitable activities across Ottawa. This work would serve to foster community partnerships while supporting local charitable initiatives.
Given the success of the annual OPS Gala, the need for the governance structure of a foundation is no longer required. The process of charitable giving to the community and the goal of fostering community partnerships can be accomplished directly through the Board using the gala as the vehicle.
Each year, by way of a formal report from staff, the Board will sanction the holding of a gala and will also consider staff’s recommendation outlining the charitable organization(s) to which funds will be donated. Staff will report on the outcome of the gala, the funds raised and the purpose to which they will be allocated. It is not necessary for the Board to delegate fundraising authority to the Chief each year. This approval was given at the 16 November 2010 meeting of the Board.
2011 OPS Police Gala
Planning for the 2011 Gala has been underway for several months. It will be held on 29 October 2011 at the new Ottawa Convention Centre. As discussed with the Board on 16 November 2010, the Ottawa Mission will be the charitable recipient for 2011.
Public consultation is not required.
There are no financial implications.
CONCLUSION
The approved annual police gala replaces the proposed creation of an Ottawa Police Foundation for the purpose of charitable giving to the community.
(Original signed by)
Vern White
Chief of Police
