Chief’s Verbal – January 23, 2012

 

OPS Ethics Program

 

Today marks the launch of the Ethics Program at the Ottawa Police Service.  Our Ethics Program will serve as a reminder for all members to reconnect with the fundamental ethical values behind our various roles in the police profession:  Honour, Courage and Service.

 

As police professionals of the Ottawa Police Service, it is the duty of each and every one of us to preserve life, property and the peace within the context of Canadian law and at the direction of the Ottawa community.  While the Ethics Program is intended to help guide us in making the best decisions possible, whatever the circumstance, they remain only words on paper until we put them into action. 

 

This morning’s launch served as an official kick off to the Ethics Program as well as the first annual Ethics Week at the Ottawa Police Service.

Joint OPS/RCMP CBRN

 

On December 1st, the Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosives (CBRNE) unit of OPS joined with the RCMP to form a combined team.  This initiative will overcome jurisdictional lines between the Ottawa Police and the RCMP, such as dealing with international Embassies and Parliament Hill.  Four police officers from the OPS Explosives Disposal Unit as well as their specialized equipment have moved from Elgin St. headquarters to an RCMP facility.

 

Every year, the Ottawa Police explosives unit responds to about 60 calls, ranging from suspicious packages to bomb threats and homemade laboratories.  In the last quarter of 2011, the RCMP CBRNE section responded to about 250 calls, ranging from VIP-related events to providing expertise to law enforcement organizations around the world.

 

The integration between the two agencies makes sense due to overlapping mandates and specialized training and should provide invaluable opportunities for training and research.  The elimination of duplication of resources for this specialization should be a cost saving measure and provide for development of the expert skills for both organizations in the long-term.

 

CAS Secondment Agreement

 

On Monday January 23, 2012, Ms. Tania Paiment of the Children’s Aid Society (CAS) of Ottawa, will commence a one year secondment with the Ottawa Police Service’s Youth Section.  This one year pilot is being conducted as a cooperative venture between the OPS and the CAS of Ottawa, with the primary goals being to:

 

i)        Improve service to “At Risk Youth in Crisis” and their families through timely assessment and intervention on non-criminal matters.

ii)      To assist OPS officers and staff in facilitating interventions, providing clinical guidance and making effective referrals to other Youth Supporting Community Agencies.

 

Guns and Gangs

 

On January 11, 2012 Patrol Services responded to the area of Walkley and Conroy Roads for a report of a stabbing.  The victim, a known gang member, provided information as to the particulars of the incident.  Search Warrants were executed at the residence where the gang motivated attack took place.  Four gang members were arrested and charged with Attempt Murder, Forcible Confinement, Break, Enter and Commit, Mischief and Breaches of Probation.

 

Direct Action Response Team (DART)

 

On January 11, 2012 DART was contacted by Gatineau Police Service Street Gang Unit to assist with an active file on a known street gang member in Ottawa involved in trafficking large quantities of cocaine in both cities.  Two search warrants were executed by DART and OPS Tactical.  Seized were large amounts of cocaine powder, crack cocaine, marihuana, ecstasy pills and oxycodone valued at $12,000.00.  Seized was almost $20,000.00 in Canadian currency. Charges include Trafficking in a Controlled Substance and Proceeds of Crime.

 

The Guns and Gangs / DART unit have been very “active” with investigations revolving shootings, attempt murders, drug trafficking, home invasions / takeovers etc.  The DART unit has played an integral part in arresting those involved in said investigations.  

 

From December 5th, 2011 to January 13th, 2012, DART, with the augmentation of personnel, has generated the following arrests / charges / seizures during the aforementioned period there were thirty-eight (38) persons arrested by DART.  Of these arrests officers laid ninety-six (96) charges, including:

 

Attempt Murder 239(1)(b) CCC

4

Breach of Probation  733.1(1) CCC

14

Breach of Recognizance 145(3) CCC

6

Break Enter and Commit 348(1)(b)

4

Careless Use of Firearm 86(1)

1

Forcible Confinement 279(2) CCC

4

Mischief 430 CCC

4

Obstruct Police 129(A) CCC

3

OPS Warrant

2

Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking 5(2) CDSA

4

Drug charges

33

Unauthorized Poss of Prohib/Restrict Weapon 91(2) CC

1

Unlawfully in a Dwelling House 349(1) CCC

4

 

DART was also responsible for the following seizures: 137 grams of marihuana, 35.95 grams of crack cocaine, 69.4 grams of cocaine, 166 ecstasy pills, 20 oxycodone pills – street level value of $18,000.00