BACKGROUND

Attached for the information of the Board are excerpts from letters of appreciation / thanks received from the public since the last regular meeting, for services rendered by members of the Ottawa Police Service.

(Original signed by)

Vern White

Chief of Police

Attach. (1)

LETTERS OF COMMENDATION

Date Received: 20 December 2011

From: Member of the Public

OPS Members: Constable Charles Proulx, Constable Andrea Cohen and Constable Godfrey Nip

Excerpts from Letter: While working on a commercial for NBC here in Ottawa, I met Cst Proulx, Cst Cohen and Cst Nip. Late into the night, we were working on projecting giant images onto the rear wall of the conference centre. I arrived on set to find a couple demanding the production be shut down because the light was disturbing them by shining into their condo. The three officers took control of the situation immediately with Cst Proulx taking the lead. In a calm voice, and with great restraint and respect, Cst Proulx tried everything in his power to calm the irate citizens who verbally attacked everyone within an ear shot (including the officers). The officers tried to calm the aggressive citizens. After giving these people more then one opportunity to leave without incident, the citizens declared they were not leaving and got more and more hostile. The shift supervisor arrived on site and asked calmly what he could do to make them leave. At this point, the man leaned into the officers’ face and declared “nothing”. It was at this point that the citizens were placed under arrest. I feel it is important to let you know what fine officers you have. They were incredibly tolerant of these people and were professional, respectful and fantastic examples of how a police officer should conduct themselves while on duty. I had a great talk with Cst Proulx and Cst Cohen post incident and was so impressed that I asked if I could go for a ride along some night. There were more than happy to oblige me. I look forward to the ride along and spending more time with these fine officers.

Date Received: 4 January 2012

From: Member of the Public

OPS Member: Ashley Mason

Excerpts from Letter: I filed a police report regarding a lost wallet and documentation and wish to compliment you on having a very courteous and professional person taking these calls. Ashley was very helpful in providing telephone numbers for reporting all my lost documentation to various government departments. Keep up the good work.

Date Received: 4 January 2012

From: Member of the Public

OPS Member: Constable Sharon Priestman

Excerpts from Letter: I was involved in a single car accident. The officer who responded was Cst Priestman. I cannot adequately express how impressed I was with Cst Priestman. She made a very frustrating experience less stressful. Her pleasant and helpful manner was obviously natural and genuine. She is the type of officer who presents an extremely wonderful human face in the performance of her duties.

Date Received: 4 January 2012

From: Member of the Public

OPS Member: OPS Santa

Excerpts from Letter: Thank you so much for being Santa for this family touched but not broken by a senseless crime. That story really touched me to the core. It gives me the knowledge that I always had that police are my friends but to bring back Christmas for a victim far beyond their expectations, even better. You went out of your way and made someone’s world a happier place and gave someone the confidence to believe in hope again. I am thankful for the tireless work that police do in my community and am so thankful they are there. Your kindness did not go unnoticed.

Date Received: 4 January 2012

From: Member of the Public

OPS Member: Constable Alan Porteous

Excerpts from Letter: I would like to commend Cst Porteous for his level headed and fair handling of an accident that I was involved in. The other drive was extremely irate, and Cst Porteous totally diffused the situation. Though I was at fault, Cst Porteous was totally respectful of me and considerate. I can’t say enough about his great attitude. He made it as pleasant an experience as it could be considering the circumstances. I salute Cst Porteous and all officers of OPS for your work on the front lines.

Date Received: 4 January 2012

From: Member of the Public

OPS Member: Constable Bradley Peak

Excerpts from Letter: I am grateful to Cst Peak for handling a situation very professionally in my view. He was very thorough in solving the situation and tried to find solutions. Job well done.

Date Received: 5 January 2012

From: W.R. MacLean, Lieutenant Colonel, National Defense

OPS Member: Constable Lianne McAughey

Excerpts from Letter: I would like to extend my most sincere appreciation to Cst McAughey for her outstanding professionalism and enthusiastic support during an exercise conducted in Ottawa. Cst McAughey was one of our role players for the exercise and she certainly immersed herself in the role. Undoubtedly, her contribution ensured that the exercise was a great success and that the team members were challenged. She brought great credit to the Ottawa Police Service. Again, many thanks and if we can be of assistance to you in the future, please do not hesitate to ask.

Date Received: 4 January 2012

From: Mike Balfour, Director of Security, Fairmont Chateau Laurier

OPS Member: Staff Sergeant Khalid Ghadban, Constable Daniel Bergeron and Constable Elizabeth Anvari

Excerpts from Letter: On behalf of the Fairmont Hotel, I would like to thank you and your organization for the professionalism in handling of a Break and Enter/Theft Under. The responding officers (Cst Bergeron and Cst Anvari) were thorough and professional in the reporting of the incident. Members of the Street Crime Unit and the Break and Enter team were in contact and had identified a suspect through footage and members of the Neighbourhood Officers were actively engaged in looking for the suspect. We then received a call from the Street Crime Unit advising a suspect had been charged with the thefts. I would like to thank all the members of the Ottawa Police Service who assisted in this incident and in particular S/Sgt Ghadban and the members of the Street Crime Unit, and the B&E Team. Through their actions, the impact of these events has been positive and professional.