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)

Charles Bordeleau

Chief of Police

Attach. (1)

____________________________________

Responsible for report: John Steinbachs

LETTERS OF COMMENDATION

Date Received: 15 November 2012

From: Member of the Public

OPS Members: Constables Brummond and Benloss

Excerpts from Letter: Two of your officers responded to an elderly woman's call for help who lives in our retirement community. When these two gentlemen came, their approach with the woman in question was that of kindness, thoroughness and so incredibly professional. The individual in question was very troubled about having lost her purse and other safety concerns. The two officers were able to communicate with one of her friends and addressed all of us who were there with incredible compassion, politeness, concern and integrity. I'm not sure if your division hears enough words of gratitude for these acts of grace and mercy that these officers showed. But I for one would like to say thank you for a job extremely well done.

Date Received: 19 October 2012

From: Member of the Public

OPS Member: Cst. Katrina Moore

Excerpts from Letter: I just wanted to thank the officer who responded to my call about an accident involving a car hitting a deer across the road from our residence. Although thankfully the lady and her passenger were fine, the poor deer was still alive and very much suffering. When the officer arrived, we asked if she was authorized to put the poor animal out of its misery. After checking on the ladies in the car first, she quickly went to help with the deer. We just wanted to thank her very much for her professionalism, kindness and humanity in dealing with the situation.

Date Received: 16 October 2012

From: Member of the Public

OPS Members: Cst. Steve Tate

Excerpts from Letter: I would like to express my sincere appreciation for the professional, efficient, fair and compassionate way Constable Tate conducted himself in his interactions with me. When my condition (diagnosed back pain) was the most acute, I was having a friend drive me around but the only way I could travel in the car was kneeling on the floor in the back. Constable Tate pulled us over to ticket me for not wearing a seatbelt. I literally crawled out of the car, explained my situation, said that I understood that I was in the wrong and requested that my friend be in no way penalized. Constable Tate conferred with his partner and when he returned, he explained the law about seatbelts, my options within the law in my condition and explained the ticket he was issuing me – which showed what the charge would’ve been, but stated that I was being issued a warning and the balance owing showed “0”. I was extremely embarrassed and in tears with the pain by this point, but I remember that he did all this in a very respectful, professional manner and showed compassion by issuing me a warning. I hung onto the ticket for over a month, but only weeks after I threw it out a conviction notice came in the mail about this incident. Again, I was treated with compassion and professionalism. I spoke with Constable Tate and he immediately started the legal process for the withdrawal of the charge and within days of the due date for payment, the court office reassured me that the conviction was withdrawn.

Date Received: 24 October 2012

From: Member of the Public

OPS Members: Cst. Jason Riopel

Excerpts from Letter: Last night I called for assistance with a used vehicle sale that went awry and escalated. From the moment Officer Riopel arrived on scene he was smiling and kept the atmosphere positive and professional. He took my statement and probed for more details without making me feel worse about the situation then I already did. He was knowledgeable in the situation and told me where I went wrong in the process. He was fair, unbiased and kept the atmosphere light and ensured to solve the situation to the satisfaction of both parties. I hope that his superiors understand what a fair, positive and knowledgeable man they have working for them and how he represented the force with a sense of honor and duty that they should be proud of. Overall I would like to thank the Ottawa Police Service for keeping the peace and protecting the people.

Date Received: 25 September 2012

From: Member of the Public

OPS Members: Cst. Melissa Albright

Excerpts from Letter: My daughter stepped out of her car to pick up her 3 ½ year old son from the back seat then realized that the doors had automatically locked and that she had no means to unlock them from outside. She found a mobile phone and called me for help. I was fortunate to locate Constable Melissa Albright who was on duty nearby in Orleans. I wish to take this opportunity to commend Constable Albright who attended to my request for help immediately. She was at all times professional and compassionate to my daughter and to all of us involved in trying to find a solution to what was a very stressful time.

Date Received: 14 November 2012

From: Make-A-Wish Eastern Ontario

OPS Members: Cst. Paolo Crescenzi

Excerpts from Letter: Paolo has been a volunteer with our organization now for almost 3 years. He has given up hours of his time building shelves and beds for children, fund-raising for our organization while encouraging his fellow Officers to do so as well. He has assisted our office with mundane tasks that need to be completed and also been our lead volunteer at various events where he directs other volunteers in their roles. His dedication, selflessness, and genuine love for people have made an enormous impact on our organization. Our Chapter of Eastern Ontario chose to nominate Officer Paolo Crescenzi for the Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee Medal Awards. We presented him with his award at our annual Three Wishes Gala that occurred on Saturday November 3^rd. You have a very special individual working for you.

Date Received: 15 November 2012

From: Member of the Public

Excerpts from Letter: On behalf of my family, I would like to thank the Ottawa Police Force for the professional and courteous way they handled the disappearance of my elderly Aunt and for their persistence and expertise in finding her, finally, at 3:00 am in Orleans. We can't thank you enough and are so lucky that we have you all looking out for us.

Date Received: 16 November 2012

From: Member of the Public

OPS Members: Cst Roger Tetreault

Excerpts from Letter: Two nights ago my wife returned home late with our newborn son, and in her rush to get in the house she parked her minivan obstructing the neighbor's driveway. This gentleman thoughtfully called on your services to rectify the situation. The attending officer went out of his way through the night to contact my father in law, then my wife by phone, and when she did not answer, he came to the door to ask us to move the offending vehicle. Doubtless it would have been easier simply to have the car towed. Officer Tetrault took a small amount of trouble upon himself to save us a considerably larger amount of trouble, for which I am most appreciative. Please pass him my thanks.

Date Received: 27 October 2012

From: Member of the Public

OPS Members: S/Sgt. Jamie Dunlop, Sgt. Patrick Laflamme, Constables Darren Saunders and Jonathan Gardiner

Excerpts from Letter: I wish to thank Sgt Laflamme and the other officers who managed the passing of my sister last September. He was very helpful and sympathetic towards me and my family and highly professional during a stressful time for all of us. I would also like to acknowledge the same professionalism and sympathetic attitude from all of the officers involved.