|
Ottawa Police Services Board
Minutes 20
Monday, 26 March 2012, 5:00 p.m.
Andrew S. Haydon Hall, 110 Laurier Avenue West, Ottawa
|
Present: Councillor E. El-Chantiry (Chair), J. Durrell (Vice-Chair), A. Doyle, H. Jensen, C. Nicholson, Mayor J. Watson
Regrets: Councillor J. Harder
CEREMONIAL ACTIVITIES / ANNOUNCEMENTS
1) New Chief Charles Bordeleau
Chair El-Chantiry welcomed Chief Charles Bordeleau to his first Board meeting as Chief. On behalf of the Board he wished the Chief all the best in this new venture and looked forward to working with him.
2) Business Woman of the Year 2011 – Finalist – Adriana Doyle
On behalf of the Board, Chair El-Chantiry congratulated Member Doyle for being one of three finalist for the 2011 Business Woman of the Year; the final announcement will be made on April 12th. He thanked Member Doyle for her contributions to the Board and throughout the community.
CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES
That the Ottawa Police Services Board confirm the minutes of the 27 February and 2 March 2012 meetings.
CONFIRMED
INQUIRIES
1) Manotick Community Police Centre
Member Watson asked for an update on the status of the Manotick Community Police Centre (CPC) relocation. Chair El-Chantiry indicated that police staff have been working with Mr. S. Kanellakos, Deputy City Manager, City Operations, on moving the CPC to the fire hall in Manotick.
Chief Bordeleau added that the move is expected to take place within the next two months and the CPC would be sharing space with paramedics and fire services. Chair El-Chantiry asked the Chief to keep the Board updated on the progress of this move.
2) Crime Stoppers
Vice Chair Durrell stated that Crime Stoppers is running out of money and possibly facing bankruptcy due to the success of the program; it receives a lot of tips and as a result has been paying out more in reward money. He believes Crime Stoppers is an invaluable asset to the OPS and asked that staff bring back a report to the Board detailing the effects the Service would suffer should Crime Stoppers cease to exist, i.e.: the negative impact on the Service and their ability to deal with crime. Vice Chair Durrell suggested it would be wise to begin looking into what can be done to help this organization.
Chair El-Chantiry noted that Crime Stoppers does not receive any taxpayer money, it is volunteer run and relies on public donations and funds raised throughout the year. He advised that a Crime Stoppers Fundraiser is scheduled for 27 April 2012 with former OPS Chief Vern White and Chief Bordeleau participating in the event.
Chief Bordeleau clarified that Crime Stoppers is not a police program and is not funded by the OPS. He stated that staff could certainly provide the information requested by Vice Chair Durrell.
ITEMS OF BUSINESS
Chief 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.)
· Comments – Prostitution Laws
· Guns and Gangs
· Traffic Safety
· Getting Ready for Spring
· Going Green
· Recognizing Our People.
Prostitution Laws
As members of City Council are being approached by the media regarding the Court of Appeal for Ontario ruling on anti-prostitution laws, Chair El-Chantiry asked the Chief if he could issue information explaining that discussions must occur at the federal level in order to change the law. He added that this is an operational matter over which the Board has no jurisdiction. Chief Bordeleau has already conducted numerous interviews with respect to the OPS’ position, which is that the ruling won’t have any immediate impact on the way policing is done in Ottawa – although it could in the future. An internal message has already been sent to all staff, and he will communicate that same message to members of City Council.
That the Ottawa Police Services Board receive this report for information.
RECEIVED
2. OFFICE OF THE CHIEF TRANSITION
Chief’s report dated 21 March 2012
That the Ottawa Police Services Board receive this report for information.
RECEIVED
3. POLICE SERVICES BOARD ACTIVITY, TRAINING AND PERFORMANCE – 2011 ANNUAL REPORT
Executive Director’s report dated 15 March 2012
That the Ottawa Police Services Board:
1. Receive this report for information.
RECEIVED
2. Forward it to City Council for information.
CARRIED
4. STANDING OFFER FOR ENTERPRISE STORAGE SOLUTION AND DELEGATION OF SPENDING AUTHORITY
Chief’s report dated 19 March 2012
Referring to the statement “The existing storage infrastructure is nearing the end of its useful life” found on page 19 of the report, Member Jensen asked if the current equipment could last another year or two in light of the current budget situation. He also asked if this decision was being pushed by issues associated with CPIC or because the system is slow and unresponsive.
Mr. Jimmy Mui, Executive Director, Corporate Support, estimated that the existing storage infrastructure probably has a useful life of one to two years. Making the request now will allow staff to make the purchases, move the data and migrate to the new infrastructure later this year. There are two specific reasons pushing this purchase: 1) the technology of the existing infrastructure is becoming somewhat dated; and 2) storage requirements are increasing at a rapid rate.
Chief Bordeleau added that the problem occurring is with the type of data that is being stored, i.e: investigations with respect to internet and child pornography dramatically increase the amount of video being stored. To effectively transfer data to the new storage mediums before running out of storage capacity they need to implement the transition at this time. The OPS is at huge risk of running out of capacity based on the type of investigations being handled by the high tech crime unit.
Ms. Debra Frazer, Director General, stated the OPS has a total capacity of 250TB (terabytes) for the entire organization. The nature of the cases being handled by the high technology crime group and “ident” are increasingly bringing more images into their work and their requests for storage are coming in at a rate of 20 terabytes per quarter. There is a need to engage and expand storage capacity and that is why they are asking permission to do that now, as they are dangerously close to running out of capacity.
Responding to Member Jensen’s question about a purge policy, Ms. Frazer explained that evidence of that nature isn’t purged. High tech investigations exceed 1000 to 2000 images per case and staff are currently active on 200 cases at any time. These cases are not purged in the short term because the Records Retention By-law requires they be saved for at least five years depending on the actual charges laid. Many other services are in the same position of storing huge amounts of data and the rate of increase of these types of crimes is exponential. The OPS is facing a significant storage challenge and will continue investigating other forms of storage.
Responding to a question from Chair El-Chantiry regarding upgrades to this system, Chief Bordeleau allowed that technology is constantly changing and file compression rates also change very rapidly and staff will seize any new opportunities. Police services across Canada are facing the same issue with respect to the amount of data they are required to keep for evidentiary purposes.
That the Ottawa Police Services Board:
1. Approve the companies identified below as qualified suppliers for:
a. Storage Enviornment Hardware:
i. Decisive Technologies, and
ii. Dell Canada Inc.;
b. Backup and Archival Software:
i. The Herjavec Group, and
ii. TeraMacTechnologies Inc.
2. Delegate authority to the Chief of Police to purchase from the qualified suppliers as follows:
a. Storage Environment Hardware: for an amount not to exceed $1,500,000 excluding applicable taxes; and
b. Backup and Archival Software: for an amount not to exceed $350,000 excluding applicable taxes.
CARRIED
5. “RINGSIDE FOR YOUTH” FUNDRAISING EVENT FOR THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF OTTAWA
Executive Director’s report dated 19 March 2012
Chair El-Chantiry pointed out that donations associated with former Chief Vern White’s retirement have already been made in the amount of $2000 this year and therefore the Board would be unable to approve this request.
Moved by H. Jensen
That the Ottawa Police Services Board not approve the purchase of a half table at the “Ringside for Youth XVIII” Dinner and Boxing Night fundraising event for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Ottawa being held on 24 May 2012 at the CE Centre, at a cost of $900.00.
CARRIED as amended
6. “IGNITING THE SPIRIT” FUNDRAISING EVENT FOR THE WABANO CENTRE FOR ABORIGINAL HEALTH
Executive Director’s report dated 19 March 2012
That the Ottawa Police Services Board approve funding for one half of the Ottawa Police Service’s table at the Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health’ “Igniting the Spirit” gala being held on 21 June 2012 at the Hampton Inn Ottawa, at a cost of $750.
CARRIED
7. SWORN PROMOTIONS PROCESS – 2011 ANNUAL REPORT
Chief’s report dated 19 March 2012
That the Ottawa Police Services Board receive this report for information.
RECEIVED
8. SENIOR OFFICERS’ ASSIGNMENT QUARTERLY UPDATE
Chief’s report dated 19 March 2012
That the Ottawa Police Services Board receive this report for information.
RECEIVED
9. OUTSTANDING BOARD INQUIRIES & MOTIONS: MARCH 2012
Executive Director’s report dated 19 March 2012
That the Ottawa Police Services Board receive this report for information.
RECEIVED
10. LETTERS OF COMMENDATION
Chief’s report dated 19 March 2012
That the Ottawa Police Services Board receive this report 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 5:29 p.m.
____________________________ _____________________________
W. Fedec E. El-Chantiry
Executive Director Chair