Ottawa Police Services Board

December 17, 2012

Chief’s Verbal Report

 

Good evening.

 

Seeing as this is the last Board meeting of the year, I would like to take a moment to thank members of the Board, on behalf of the Ottawa Police Service and myself, for their guidance over the past year.  We appreciate and value the important oversight role you play.

 

And now, I’d like to update the Board on a few activities the Ottawa Police Service has been involved in since our last meeting.

 

Business Plan

On December 4, we hosted a community consultation on the 2013-2015 Business Plan.  We also hosted three member consultations at different OPS buildings.  For those who were unable to make it to the consultations, we provided an online feedback form on ottawapolice.ca and also encouraged members and the public to email businessplan@ottawapolice.ca with their comments.

 

We’ve received some great feedback from the community and our members through these consultations, and it will undoubtedly assist us, and the Board, in refining the Service’s next three year plan of action.

 

Missing Girl Found

In late November, Ottawa Police began an investigation regarding a missing 9-year-old girl.  The girl was reported missing by her father, who has full custody, and she was believed to be in the presence of her mother.

 

Our Service received information that the girl could be in a number of different Ontario cities, and possibly in a different province.  After a two week investigation, the girl was located safe and sound in North York and returned to her father.

 

Our partnerships with other services and law enforcement helped us resolve this case.  Durham Regional Police, Toronto Police, the OPP, and the RCMP National Missing Children Services were instrumental throughout this investigation and we thank them for that.

 

RIDE

As we do every year, Ottawa Police officers have been conducting provincially funded R.I.D.E. programs throughout this season at a higher frequency than usual. 

 

Over this weekend alone, one thousand vehicles were stopped resulting in one impaired charge and one 72-hour suspension.  Participating officers noted a high volume of designated drivers, taxis and arrive-safe services passing through the check points.  These checks will continue on a regular basis until the New Year. 

 

I have been working with the taxi union and have accepted donations in the amount of $4,500. that will be distributed in taxi chits through the RIDE program. 

 

Cop Shop

Our members are very involved in the community beyond their day-to-day roles.  At no time in the year is this more evident than Christmas.  Whether it’s the Food Bank or the Snowsuit Fund, I am always proud to see their activity working to make this community a better place to live.

 

Just last week, 65 of our officers volunteered in the 5th annual Cop Shop at Carlingwood and Billings Bridge Malls.  This initiative allows children who might not otherwise receive holiday presents, a chance to have some gifts at Christmas by providing them with some money and a uniformed officer as a personal shopper.  It is a great opportunity for our officers to build relationships with the children and I know our members are proud to be a part of this great initiative.

 

Ottawa Mission

Another tradition our officers had an opportunity to be a part of was the serving of a Christmas dinner to the homeless at the Ottawa Mission on December 16.  This tradition first started in 2005 and has continued ever since.  Yesterday, I joined them, along with Deputy Chief Larochelle and Inspectors Johnston and Rheaume.

 

The homeless represent some of the most vulnerable persons in our community and this event allows our members to serve and connect with them on a much different level than through their regular policing duties.

 

Holiday Flag and Banner

The holiday season is also an opportunity for our Service to embrace the various cultures and religions that make up the diverse community we serve.

 

Through our Flag and Banner Program, we’ve had the opportunity to celebrate St. Nicholas Day by lighting the Christmas tree and Chanukah, and on December 20, we’ll be celebrating the holiday of Kwanzaa for the first time.

 

Officers Overseas

Finally, I would like to take a moment to recognize our members who are participating in UN Peacekeeping Missions overseas this holiday season.  Currently, we have a total of eight officers deployed in either Haiti, Afghanistan, or South Sudan.  While on mission, our officers have been assisting the UN in a number of ways including training, maintaining law and order, and mentorship.

 

They’ve also immersed themselves in helping their local communities.  As an example, A/Sgt. Rob Hagarty, who is on mission in South Sudan, set up a charity for child street orphans.

 

I’m very proud to see the work of our members extending beyond borders.

 

With that, I’d like to close by wishing members of the Board Merry Christmas and a happy holiday.  I hope that everyone has an opportunity to rest and spend some time with their friends, family and loves ones this holiday season.

 

Thank you and I am happy to take any questions you may have.