|
|
REPORT RAPPORT |
|
DATE:
|
17 February 2012 |
|
TO/DEST:
|
Executive Director, Ottawa Police Services Board |
|
FROM/EXP:
|
Chief of Police, Ottawa Police Service |
|
SUBJECT/OBJET:
|
LETTERS OF COMMENDATION
|
RECOMMENDATION
That the Ottawa Police Services Board receive this report for information.
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: 04 January 2012
From: Allan Phibbs, Deputy Director, Ontario Police College
OPS Member: Sergeant Greg Borger
Excerpts from Letter: I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Ottawa Police Service and Sergeant Greg Borger for the instructional assistance provided to our Conducted Energy Weapon Master Trainer course (CEW-IT). As a member of the CEW Working Group, Sergeant Borger has been part of the development of the CEW training program for several years and his ongoing commitment to the program has been an important part of its success. Sergeant Borger did an outstanding job assisting OPC staff to deliver our most recent course together under challenging and last minute circumstances. Due to an unplanned absence, the OPC Course Coordinator was unable to participate and much of the preparation for the course was done at the last minute. The members of the working group all took on extra responsibilities during the course to make it a success for our students. We are most grateful for their perseverance and professionalism.
Date Received: 18 January 2012
From: Member of the Public
OPS Member: Constable Sean Carroll
Excerpts from Letter: Cst Carroll was the responding officer to my single car accident. He was professional, extremely courteous, considerate and of the utmost assistance. This was my first experience in this type of situation and I was greatly impressed.
Date Received: 18 January 2012
From: Member of the Public
OPS Members: Constable Daniel Bargh, Constable Andrea Lensen and Constable Mark Horton
Excerpts from Letter: I am writing to commend Cst Bargh, Cst Lensen and Cst Horton. On December 13, 2006, I was assaulted downtown in the Market. I was lying on the sidewalk when the officers arrived. I was initially very dazed and believe I had briefly lost consciousness from punches and kicks to the heads. I had blood from a wound to my head all over my jacket. On arrival, the officers immediately took charge of the scene and called for medical assistance. Although I was not completely compass mentis, I noticed they were clearly securing the area and were attempting to ascertain what had occurred. I was attended to by an ambulance crew and was taken to the hospital. One of the officers escorted the ambulance to the hospital and waited for my wife to arrive. I wish to sincerely thank Cst Bargh, Cst Lensen and Cst Horton. They were highly professional in manner and in their handling of the scene and of the entire incident. They displayed officer safety procedures and excellent Q&A skills. I found them to have extended every professional courtesy to me. They remained professional and are most certainly extremely capable and clearly valuable assets to their team.
Date Received: 18 January 2012
From: Member of the Public
OPS Member: Constable Joe Pratecante
Excerpts from Letter: Often times we are quick to complain, but slow to compliment. I want to make sure that I don’t fall into that. I was involved in a minor accident. Cst Pratecante was extremely professional and went above and beyond what I would expect for a response for such an accident. Cst Pratecante provided excellent service, was efficient and extremely calm and kind. I appreciate the assistance and would like to commend him for his excellent client service.
Date Received: 18 January 2012
From: Member of the Public
OPS Member: Constable Jacinthe Dion
Excerpts from Letter: I wanted to provide feedback on the service my husband and I received by Cst Dion. The first time Cst Dion came to our home, she was very attentive to the information we provided. I felt very comfortable speaking with her and felt that she took our concerns seriously. When she returned to speak to us again about the follow up to our case, she was once again very impressive. Cst Dion conducted herself with the utmost professionalism. She provided us with her findings and explained the possible scenarios very effectively.
Date Received: 18 January 2012
From: Member of the Public
OPS Member: Jennifer Hill
Excerpts from Letter: Thank you to Ms. Hill for her friendliness and caring attitude during our conversation about a break and enter at my home. Since the event, she is the only person who actually showed some empathy toward this traumatic event.
Date Received: 18 January 2012
From: Member of the Public
OPS Member: Constable Andrew Jasiak
Excerpts from Letter: I would like to let you know that Cst Jasiak was very helpful and courteous. He stopped me and gave me a ticket for a bylaw infraction. While Cst Jasiak was doing this, he also helped me by clearing off the ice that had built up on my front license plate. I tried for several days to do this unsuccessfully. Cst Jasiak is to be commended for his professionalism and kindness. His actions actually left me driving away happy.
Date Received: 18 January 2012
From: Member of the Public
OPS Members: Constable Chantal Gregoire and Constable Paul Greenwood
Excerpts from Letter: I called 911 as I could hear that a guest at a party given by my upstairs neighbours had become violent. He appeared to be severely intoxicated and out of control. I was concerned that someone would be injured. Police arrived quickly. I observed Cst Gregoire and Cst Greenwood treat this fellow with both dignity and respect despite his condition as they removed him from the premises. I want them to know that I noticed and that I have shared this story.
Date Received: 23 January 2012
From: Member of the Public
OPS Members: Constable David Fong and Cst Ryan McEachran
Excerpts from Letter: Just wanted to send a short thank you for the very quick response to a call from my roommate and I about a prowler in our laneway. Thank you to the officers for taking the time to have a look around and chat with us how we could make our home safer.
Date Received: 23 January 2012
From: Member of the Public
OPS Member: Constable Ian Cork
Excerpts from Letter: I made a 911 call about a suspected drunk driver. Cst Cork was there within minutes and was able to stop the car. In his follow-up with me, he was most courteous and helpful. The OPS should be proud of him.
Date Received: 23 January 2012
From: Member of the Public
OPS Members: Constable Hak Taing and Constable Fletcher Blake
Excerpts from Letter: There was a break and enter at my residence and Cst Taing and Cst Blake were there in 5 minutes. Thank you.
Date Received: 24 January 2012
From: Member of the Public
OPS Member: Staff Sergeant Dana Reynolds, Constable Todd Clark and Constable Neil Roy
Excerpts from Letter: I am writing to commend three of your colleagues who provided a special service to my family. My sister sustained life-threatening injuries upon being struck by a car as a pedestrian. S/Sgt Reynolds, Cst Clark and Cst Roy made a huge difference in the experience we had as newly distraught family dealing with the acute injury and potential loss of our loved one. First and foremost, we are ever-indebted to S/Sgt Reynolds who although off duty was present at the scene. I’ve spoken with others who were at the scene and S/Sgt Reynolds took complete control of the situation. As a physician, I estimated that my sister lost about 50% of her blood volume before arriving at the hospital. I believe S/Sgt Reynolds’ life preserving manoeuvres and command of the scene saved my sister’s life. She kept in close contact with our family in the early days of my sister’s ICU stay and her contact was incredible support for us. Cst Roy was the main contact with our family that night while we gathered in the emergency department. His compassion shone through and again his genuine care and concern was an enormous strength to us in our crisis. He also stayed in contact with our family to check on my sister and my father in particular credits him with communicating clearly and carefully in a way that brought us together as a family. Cst Clark (who was outside the family room) provided a quiet support. For some reason, I remember so clearly the few moments we spoke. He offered to get anything we needed. He brought us water and listened. I think people underestimate the incredible strength they share with others simply by being present, by listening, by not looking away in fear of another’s emotion, by providing empathy above and beyond sympathy. I believe that times of crisis can bring people together or apart. We are a close family and my sister’s accident was potentially devastating for us. Now 6 weeks later, my sister is recovering astonishingly well at the Rehab Centre. Human connections are so important but are easy to neglect in our day to day busy lives and careers – the humanity that S/Sgt Reynolds, Cst Clark and Cst Roy shared will be remembered always.
Date Received: 24 January 2012
From: Member of the Public
OPS Member: Constable Maria Keen
Excerpts from Letter: I am writing to commend excellent service and assistance received by Cst Keen. Cst Keen has gone to great lengths to help me with setting up ride along opportunities with other constables and helping me be the best I can be throughout the recruitment process. I am very thankful for everything she has done and continues to do. Cst Keen is a fantastic member of the OPS and I hope she is recognized for all of her hard work.
Date Received: 24 January 2012
From: Member of the Public
OPS Member: Constable Alain Rochette
Excerpts from Letter: I am writing to express my thanks for the excellent service I received from Cst Rochette. Someone kicked the mirror off my car and Cst Rochette nabbed the suspect. As a result, I was fully reimbursed the $1000 + cost of the incident. Without his diligence, I would have been out of pocket the $500 deductable. Please convey my sincere thanks to Cst Rochette. He is a fine officer.
Date Received: 24 January 2012
From: Member of the Public
OPS Member: Constable Kevin Benloss
Excerpts from Letter: A call was placed to 911 as our daughter (suffering with a mental illness) was wandering the neighbourhood. Cst Benloss arrived quickly and located us as we were searching the neighbourhood. He quickly engaged and was able to secure our daughter and deliver us safely to the Royal Ottawa Hospital. Cst Benloss was professional, kind and very effective.