Ottawa Police Services Board

 

Minutes 16

 

Monday, 19 December 2011, 5:00 p.m.

 

Champlain Room, 110 Laurier Avenue West, Ottawa

 

 

Present:          Councillor E. El-Chantiry (Chair), J. Durrell (Vice-Chair), A. Doyle, J. Harder, H. Jensen, C. Nicholson, J. Watson

 

 

CEREMONIAL ACTIVITIES / ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

a)       Introduction of new Ottawa Police Association President

Chair El-Chantiry introduced Mr. M. Skof, the new President of the Ottawa Police Association.  On behalf of the Board, the Chair welcomed Mr. Skof and said he looked forward to working with him over the next two years.

 

 

CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES

 

That the Ottawa Police Services Board confirm the Minutes of the 28 November 2011 meetings

                                                                                                            CONFIRMED

 

 

ITEMS OF BUSINESS

 

1.             CHIEF’S VERBAL REPORT

 

 

Acting Chief C. Bordeleau reported on the following items:

(A copy of the Chief’s verbal report will be kept on file with the Board’s Executive Director and is available online at ottawapoliceboard.ca.)

 

·         Project Streetwalker;

·         Public Safety;

·         CopShop;

·         Supt. Flanagan – Afghanistan;

·         Annual Police Resources in Canada Report – Weighted Clearance Rates;

·         Guns and Gangs / D.A.R.T. Unit;

·         Congolese Demonstrations.

 

Congolese Demonstrations

On behalf of the Board, Chair El-Chantiry took the opportunity to thank all the officers for a job well done during the demonstrations. 

 

Annual Police Resources in Canada Report – Weighted Clearance Rates

Chair El-Chantiry stated that the report results were good news for the City of Ottawa and the Police Services Board; however, he expressed concern that reporting mechanisms across the province remain inconsistent.

 

That the Ottawa Police Services Board receive this report for information.

 

                                                                                                RECEIVED

 

 

2.             BUSINESS CONTINUITY MANAGEMENT

Presentation

 

 

Acting Chief Bordeleau explained that in today’s environment, ensuring essential core policing services are maintained during a major event or disaster is of prime importance for our community.  In 2010 the OPS launched its Business Continuity Office; its mandate is to ensure the continuity of police operations in a time of crisis.  Inspector A. Bernard leads the work being done in this area.

 

Insp. Bernard took the Board through a presentation of the overall goal and importance of the program, the work done to date and plans moving forward.  (A copy of the presentation will be kept on file with the Board’s Executive Director.)

 

Responding to Vice Chair Durrell’s questions, Insp. Bernard explained that the OPS is one of only a few policing agencies across the country to implement this process and they are now being contacted by other organizations expressing interest in what is being done.  At the present time the collection of high level information remains with the subject experts and needs to be presented to the Executive Command.  When the actual Business Continuity Plan is created a manual will be placed in each of the 29 facilities.  There will be a process for each facility to identify the critical core functions that will ensure business is conducted in as normal a fashion as possible.  As the OPS rank and file are directly related to this process the Ottawa Police Association will become involved as it moves forward and actual core functions are identified.

 

Chair El-Chantiry thanked Insp. Bernard for his presentation. 

 

That the Ottawa Police Services Board receive this presentation for information.

 

                                                                                                RECEIVED

 

 

3.             ACCESSIBILITY STANDARDS FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE POLICIES

Policy and Governance Committee’s report dated 12 December 2011

 

 

That the Ottawa Police Services Board approve the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service Policy for the Board attached as Annex A and the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service Policy giving direction to the Chief of Police, attached as Annex B.

 

                                                                                                CARRIED

 

 

4.             ROYAL OTTAWA FOUNDATION FOR MENTAL HEALTH INSPIRATION AWARDS GALA

Executive Director’s report dated 12 December 2011

 

 

That the Ottawa Police Services Board approve funding for one half of a table at the Royal Ottawa Foundation’s Inspiration Awards Gala being held on 2 March 2012 at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum, at a cost of $1,550.

 

                                                                                                CARRIED

 

 

5.             CANADIAN ASSOCIATION OF POLICE BOARDS: 2012 MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL

Executive Director’s report dated 12 December 2011

 

 

That the Ottawa Police Services Board approve payment of $5,125 to the Canadian Association of Police Boards for its 2012 membership fee.

 

                                                                                                CARRIED

 

 


6.             ONTARIO ASSOCIATION OF POLICE SERVICES BOARDS: 2012 MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL

          Executive Director’s report dated 12 December 2011

 

 

That the Ottawa Police Services Board approve payment of $4,675, plus GST, to the Ontario Association of Police Services Boards for its 2012 membership fee.

 

                                                                                                CARRIED

 

 

7.             ONTARIO ASSOCIATION OF POLICE SERVICES BOARDS WHITE PAPER ON PROVINCIAL OFFENCES ACT UNPAID FINES

          Executive Director’s report dated 12 December 2011

 

 

Member Watson stated he is very interested in the issue of unpaid fines and congratulated the OAPSB for the work done on the White Paper.  He thanked Chair El-Chantiry for raising this matter with various MPPs and drawing attention to the issue.  As it involves a lot of money, municipalities are interested in collecting as much revenue as they can to pay for various programs.  He was under the impression that drivers’ licences and plates could not be renewed when fines remained outstanding.  He wondered why some outstanding fines are not being captured. 

 

Chair El-Chantiry thanked City staff for the tremendous amount of work they have done moving this file forward.  He noted that the Province gave municipalities the power to enclose outstanding fines with 2012 tax bills.  He explained that some outstanding tickets were not being captured due to slight changes to names appearing on the drivers licence, out of province or out of country offenders.  Ottawa is at the top when it comes to collection; however, there remains $15 to 16 million in uncollected fines.  Revenue generated from provincial offence tickets is split 75% to the province and 25% to the municipality, and parking fines go directly to the municipality.  The Province of Quebec uses the Denver Boot, which is placed on a vehicle until all outstanding tickets are paid; this is a tactic the City of Ottawa cannot implement at this time.  

 

Mr. D. White, Board Solicitor, added that the city collects the Victims’ Fine Surcharge, which is an additional amount remitted to the province.  In terms of the difference between plate denial and licence suspension, the Highway Traffic Act and Provincial Offences Act recognize two different types of offences:  Owner Liability, such as parking tickets where the owner is ultimately liable for the fine; and Driver Liability, such as moving violations where the driver is responsible.  Where the owner of the vehicle or the driver has done something that the owner is responsible for, plate denial is an option.  Where the driver is responsible, licence suspension is the option.

 

Responding to Member Watson`s question regarding the outstanding millions of dollars in fines, Mr. White explained that the concern is some individuals choose to drive with suspended licences rather than paying their outstanding fines and renewing their driver’s licence.  Chair El-Chantiry added that driver’s licences are renewed every five years and plate renewals occur every one or two years, causing a delay in catching unpaid fines.

 

Member Watson indicated that he was contemplating taking an Ottawa delegation to Queen`s Park in the new year to go over a number of issues and this was an item that should be included.  He thought that perhaps the Board could adopt some specific requests to bring forward.  Chair El-Chantiry noted that fine collection is not a police board matter; it is handled by the municipality and the province.  He said he would ask that a full report be prepared by the Deputy City Treasurer to provide background and information on how the City is doing with regard to fine collection.

 

Member Jensen noted that the Ontario Association of Police Services Boards (OAPSB) Executive met with Minister M. Meilleur, Community Safety and Correctional Services, and Attorney General J. Gerretsen on this issue.  They were well received and Member Jensen was under the impression that Mr. Gerretsen was taking action, however, many changes are required to the Highway Traffic Act and insurance issues to move forward with collections.  The OAPSB’s position is that the administration of justice and law is being brought into disrepute when the fines are not collected and the imposed penalties are not satisfied.  The OAPSB feels it is up to municipalities to provide input and pressure to the responsible ministers.  This is not something the OAPSB is prepared to drop.  They would be delighted if the Mayor and his colleagues moved this matter forward for Ottawa.

 

Insp. R. Lavigne explained that administrative gaps and time lapses occur from the time the individual is found guilty in court and when their driver’s licence comes up for renewal when the outstanding tickets are noticed.  These lapses can amount to years. 

 

Vice Chair Durrell was thrilled that the Mayor would go to Queen’s Park and he felt that it would only help the Mayor to present his case if a motion from the Police Services Board supporting his efforts was approved. 

 

Vice Chair Durrell proposed the following motion:

 

That the Ottawa Police Services Board request that the Provincial Government adopt legislation so that there is 100% compliance on unpaid fines.

 

Chair El-Chantiry noted this was a good motion, but he still wanted the opportunity to have staff provide a full report.  The City has been working on this for a number of years and are at this point because of help received over the years from people like the Mayor. 

 

Member Watson thanked the Chair and the Vice Chair for their input and support.  He noted this was a frustrating issue as the vast majority of citizens are law abiding, while others have thousands of dollars in outstanding fines.  The City of Ottawa, being a border city, does not have the ability to go after individuals from other provinces.  He thinks all options must be looked at to obtain this revenue.  He had no objection to going after individuals who owe fines by using the “Denver Boot” on their vehicle.  These individuals think they can get away with disobeying our laws as they realize there are few repercussions for the city.  He believed the laws have to get tougher and must have substance and effect to act as deterrents.  With the report that the Chair will request from staff, the Mayor’s office will prepare a position paper that the Mayor can use when he goes to Queen’s Park.  Any revenue received will be used to provide services for the community.

 

Member Doyle stated that from a financial and safety point of view, individuals driving with no insurance and / or suspended licences pose a threat to the community and she supported the motion.

 

Member Jensen added that one of the existing problems is the inability for data sharing within the various components of the Ministry of Transportation and other systems.  This is a matter that the Ministers can address that will give more effect to the collection process.

 

Chair El-Chantiry said that the report he will be requesting would summarize all the work that has been done to date by the City on this issue and how they will proceed. 

 

That the Ottawa Police Services Board receive the Ontario Association of Police Services Board’s White Paper on Provincial Offences Act Unpaid Fines and forward it to City Council for information.

 

                                                                                                RECEIVED and CARRIED

 

That the Ottawa Police Services Board support the Mayor’s efforts in requesting the Provincial Government to adopt legislative changes that will achieve 100% compliance in the payment of Provincial Offences Act fines. 

 

                                                                                                CARRIED

 

 

8.             RE-APPOINTMENT OF SPECIAL CONSTABLES – OTTAWA POLICE SERVICE

          Acting Chief’s report dated 13 December 2011

 

 

That the Ottawa Police Services Board approve the re-appointment of Tara Burke, Robert Butler, Kenton Chouinard, Kevin Grosser and Robert Konopka as Special Constables pursuant to Section 53 of the Police Services Act, in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in the attached application form.

 

                                                                                                CARRIED

 

 


9.             NEW APPOINTMENT OF SPECIAL CONSTABLE – OC TRANSPO

Acting Chief’s report dated 13 December 2011

 

 

That the Ottawa Police Services Board approve the appointment of Melissa Groulx as OC Transpo Special Constable 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, for a term to expire 14 November 2016.

 

                                                                                                CARRIED

 

 

10.         SECONDARY ACTIVITIES 2011 ANNUAL REPORT

          Acting Chief’s report dated 13 December 2011

 

 

That the Ottawa Police Services Board receive this report for information.

 

                                                                                                RECEIVED

 

 

11.         OTTAWAREADS” VOLUNTEER READER PROGRAM

Acting Chief’s report dated 13 December 2011

 

 

Member Jensen congratulated all those involved in this program.

 

That the Ottawa Police Services Board receive this report for information.

 

                                                                                                RECEIVED

 

 

12.         SENIOR OFFICERS’ ASSIGNMENT QUARTERLY UPDATE

Acting Chief’s report dated 13 December 2011

 

 

That the Ottawa Police Services Board receive this report for information.

 

                                                                                                RECEIVED

 

 


13.         BOARD DISCRETIONARY FUND: 2011 ANNUAL REPORT

Executive Director’s report dated 12 December 2011

 

 

That the Ottawa Police Services Board receive this report for information.

 

                                                                                                RECEIVED

 

 

14.         OUTSTANDING BOARD INQUIRIES & MOTIONS: DECEMBER 2011

Executive Director’s report dated 12 December 2011

 

 

That the Ottawa Police Services Board receive this report for information.

 

                                                                                                RECEIVED

 

 

15.         LETTERS OF COMMENDATION

Acting Chief’s report dated 13 December 2011

 

 

That the Ottawa Police Services Board receive this report for information.

 

                                                                                                RECEIVED

 

 

COMMUNICATIONS

 

a)             700 MHZ BROADBAND

Letter dated 08 December 2011 from the Minister of Public Safety in response to the Board’s letter dated 30 March 2011

 

 

That the Ottawa Police Services Board receive this communication for information.

 

                                                                                                RECEIVED

 

 

 

 


CONSIDERATION OF MOTION TO MOVE IN CAMERA

 

Moved by J. Durrell

 

That the Ottawa Police Services Board adjourn the public portion of its meeting to move In Camera to discuss confidential items pertaining to legal and personnel 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