Chief’s Verbal – October 24,  2011

Public Rewards Policy

The Public Rewards Policy was approved and a press conference was held to inform the public.  Families of the victims were grateful for this new initiative.

Electronic Satellite Pursuit System (Pharmacy)

GPS Units made by 3Si (similar to those being used in TD banks).  The OPS has been provided with wands and training.  Our first Shoppers Drug Mart track resulted in an arrest and recovery of the device and stolen property.

Clearing Files

Investigators recently attended Millhaven Penitentiary to meet with a recently convicted robbery suspect.  A series of files, primarily from 2009, have been either cleared otherwise or re-opened.  In most instances, the suspect is out of the country or already sentenced on other charges.

The files include:

Ø 10 pharmacies (2 re-opened and 8 cleared)

Ø 7 banks (three re-opened and four cleared)

Ø 2 retail (both cleared)”

Total of 14 files cleared and 5 re-opened; the re-opened files now have solid suspects and are thus solvable.

Robbery Unit’s “Most Wanted”

Feature was added to the organizations main web site.  The documents will feature some of the Robbery Units most wanted suspects, based on crimes, quality of the image, etc.

Stittsville

An investigation into numerous arsons and mischief’s in the Stittsville area has commenced. This investigation has members assigned from West Division District, Central District Investigations and the C.I.D. Arson Section. Ongoing support for the investigation has been received from West Division N.H.O.’s, S.R.O.’s and Patrol Services.

On October 13, 2011, Ottawa Police attended a meeting which took place at the Johnny Leroux Community Centre to discuss community concerns.

As with any ongoing investigation, it is difficult to identify completion timelines or investigation actions.

Ottawa Neighbourhood Watch Executive Committee (ONWEC) Election

Last month, the Ottawa Neighbourhood Watch Executive Committee (ONWEC) responsible for city wide leadership for Ottawa's Neighbourhood Watch program re-elected Jim Wiper, a Neighbourhood Watch Coordinator from Kanata, to chair the committee for another two year term. This is Jim’s fourth year with the Committee.

On October 20, 2011, the election for Vice-Chair was held and Mr. Pete Weston was unanimously voted into the position for a one year term. He has been a volunteer with the Ottawa Police Service for the past 25 years.

Greenpeace Protest; Monday, September 26, 2011

In the weeks leading up to September 26, Greenpeace Canada and other conservationist groups organized a demonstration to protest the Keystone pipeline being constructed in Alberta.  Protest organizers were calling for a large scale peaceful act of civil disobedience, with the intent of having large numbers arrested, modeled after a previous protest in Washington, D.C.    Ottawa Police along with RCMP PLT (Police Liaison Team) worked with the protest organizers in advance to establish open lines of communications between the protestors and the police. On September 26, approximately 400 protestors attended Parliament Hill.  RCMP arrested 117 protestors, who crossed barricades.  The 117 arrested protestors were turned over to OPS members who processed them and all were charged for a trespass offence under the provincial Trespass to Property Act.   

After the event the OPS and RCMP Police Liaison Team were thanked and acknowledged for their professionalism by one of the protest group organizers (Council of Canadians).

Occupy Ottawa: October 15, 2011 to present

The Occupy Ottawa Demonstration began in Confederation Park on Saturday, October 15 with, 300-500 people representing a diverse collection of groups gathered peacefully in the Park.  Although a relatively small demonstration, it received a significant amount of media attention given similar demonstrations taking place in other Canadian cities.   Prior to the event the Ottawa Police Liaison Team reached out to organizers to establish lines of communications.  As well, partnerships were established with the City of Ottawa, the RCMP and NCC in advance of the event. The group has participated in two marches through the downtown core, escorted by police with minimal disruption to the community.  Since Monday the group’s numbers have dwindled to about 30 people remaining on the Site.   Ottawa Police are maintaining periodic and regular contact with other Canadian cities where similar protests are being conducted.

More Successful Defibrillation by OPS Officers

I am pleased to report another successful defibrillator call that occurred on October 5th, 2011.

West Division patrol officers Cst. Mary-Laurel BOON and Cst. Paul BAECHLER responded to a medical call at Britannia Beach for a 73 year old windsurfer found VSA.

The male was found unconscious by two by-slanders who pulled him out of the water and initiated CPR. Both officers arrived at the scene shortly after and took over CPR. They also applied their automatic external defibrillator.

In total, two shocks were administered. Paramedics arrived at the scene and provided advanced cardiac care while the officers continued their resuscitation efforts. A pulse was returned and the male was transported to the Queensway Hospital.

As of today, the male is reported to be in stable condition at the ICU.

This is a perfect example of excellent efforts by both officers and the by-standers. Their response was truly instrumental in saving a life.

On the 12^th of September, 2011, at 16:45 hrs, during rush hour traffic, a 43 year driving a pickup truck was seen slouched over the steering wheel before he crashed in a brick wall at the corner on Montreal Rd and Vanier Pkwy.

Cst. Kevin JAQUES and Cst. Judith DROVER-JANES were the first to arrive on scene. They assessed the driver who was in cardiac arrest. They promptly removed him from the vehicle and started CPR. Cst JAQUES applied his automatic external defibrillator and delivered one shock. Paramedics arrived on scene while the officers continued their resuscitation efforts. Together, they revived the man.

The driver was transported to the Montfort hospital where he underwent quadruple by-pass surgery. He has since been discharged from the hospital and expected to make a full recovery.

Congratulations to our officers!

Fitness Based Boot Camp

Constable Arun Daniels, a School Resource Officer working in Bell High School, has set up a fitness based “boot camp” that is being run as part of the school’s suspension program.  The camp is run weekly and attracts students at high risk of having behavior challenges, a known determinant in future criminal activity.  During the classes the youths discuss making positive life choices as well as fitness and health issues. 

The goal of the program is for the youth to have positive adult interactions, guiding them towards taking leadership roles within their schools and communities.