Chief’s Verbal Report – April 30, 2012

Member Announcement

David Pepper

David Pepper, the Director of Corporate Communications and Community Development who has been assigned to the special project related to racial profiling, has resigned from the Ottawa Police Service effective May 1, 2012 and has accepted a new position with OC Transpo as their Business & Operational Services Branch Manager.

David has made a significant impact on policing in the nation's capital and was the first person to serve the past four Chiefs of Police in this unique role.  He has served our community with distinction for more than 17 years at Ottawa Police. 

As Chief of Police, I can personally speak to the contributions he has made to our organization in the fields of community building, anti-discrimination, strategic support and crisis communications.  In the coming months as the transition process continues, the structure of the four sections previously under his command will be reviewed and staffed accordingly. 

We wish him the best in his future endeavours and thank him for his years of dedicated, professional and passionate service.  Our community is safer and healthier as a direct result of the work that David has accomplished over his years of service.

Employee Well-Being

Duxbury Report

Ottawa Police members gladly participated in the Carleton University study released April 24, 2012 that deals with work-life conflict and role overload within Canadian police services.  Our members have been fortunate to work with Professor Linda Duxbury, one of the report authors, for over a decade.

We see this recent study as a good news story, and the results are no surprise.  The OPS is a caring organization and this study was another positive step along the path of work we’ve already been doing for years.

Work-life balance, control and supervision are areas of review I have already identified in my work plan as Chief.  The information from the study are pressing and will be examined for the continued health and well-being of our organization.

In The Community

Manotick Community Police Centre

We have ceased operations at the CPC location on Clapp Lane and have returned the building to the owner. Cst Peter Jeon, our Community Police Officer continues to provide services to the community from the Huntmar Police Station and the West Carleton CPC.

The relocation of the Manotick CPC to Fire Station 94 at 5669 Manotick Main Street is on schedule to be open and operating by the end of May. Minor reconstruction has commenced and we are looking forward to the new location.

We have received generous cooperation from Ottawa Fire Services, City Public Works and the Ottawa Paramedic Service and we look forward to introducing the combined operation to the community.

An open house is being explored to coincide with Manotick Dickinson Days on June 2, 2012.

Keeping Ottawa Safe

Senators Playoffs

There were no incidents related to the Ottawa Senators Playoffs over the past weeks.  We responded to crowds utilizing on duty resources with no supplemental staffing required.

Distracted Driving Enforcement

Traffic Escort and Enforcement officers under Sgt. Al Ferris were part of a Distracted Driving Enforcement blitz on April 17^th to 19^th.  This enforcement initiative addressed one of the emphasis areas in the City of Ottawa’s “Safer Roads Ottawa” road safety plan. 

Officers were dressed in plain clothes at the intersection of Bank and Chamberlain and watching for drivers that were using their mobile devices.  When observed, they were directed by a uniformed officer further down the road to stop.   

A total of 175 charges were laid, of which 71 drivers were charged for using their mobile devices while driving. 

There was a significant amount of media & public attention around this initiative, which proved to be a valuable opportunity to further educate the public on the risks of distracted driving.  Similar initiatives will take place in the future in other areas of the City.

Sexual Assaults

Two additional sexual assaults occurred in the Alta Vista Area in the morning of April 27, 2012 in which the male suspect approached women from behind and pulled their pants down.  The OPS is very concerned with the rash of incidents and have a full investigative team comprised of the CID and neighbourhood officers that are actively investigating on apprehending the individual.  Officers have gone out into the community with a safety message to women.

Pharmacy Robberies

The Robbery Unit has been working with the upswing in pharmacy robberies over the past months.  This year to date, we have had as many pharmacy robberies (39) as in all of 2011 (40) and 2010 (39).  We have had great success in solving many of them.

‘Pharmacy’ robberies are largely responsible for a 62% increase in robberies through to the end of the first quarter. 

‘Street level’ robberies are also ongoing, particularly in relation to the stealing of electronic devices such as I-phones and other higher end devices.  This trend is not unique to Ottawa with other urban centers experiencing the same trend.  Through the end of the third quarter, personal robberies are up 41% and swarming 33%. 

In all, robberies are up 35% to the end of the first quarter.