Annex A

                                                                             

Summary of Key Results and Outcomes: 2010 to 2012 Business Plan

 

With the current Business Plan having expired as of December 2012, Annex B summarizes the key outcomes and accomplishments achieved during the last three years.  

 

Reducing, Investigating and Preventing Crime

Goals:

1.0     Enhance organizational capacity and partnerships that support a consistent and effective response to early intervention and diversion, to prevent and reduce youth crime.          


2.0     Improve assistance to victims through better support, information, referrals and education.

3.0     Enhance our ability to gather, analyze and share information to facilitate an intelligence led approach.

4.0     Review and implement criminal investigative best practices to achieve optimum crime solvency.  

5.0     Employ an intelligence-led enforcement approach to support the deployment of resources to target priority areas and offenders in order to reduce and prevent crime.    

Key Results / Accomplishments 

·         A number of operations were concluded in the past three years to target street-level trafficking of drugs, illegal guns/firearm trafficking and other criminal activity through the coordinate efforts of the Street Crime Unit, Drug Unit and Guns, Direct Action Response Team (D.A.R.T), Neighbourhood Officers and Gangs Unit, such as:  Project Woody, a five month project targeting the street level trafficking of crack cocaine in Lowertown: in response to resident and business complaints, Project ‘Renaissance’ a ten month project targeting the street level trafficking in and around the Vanier area; Project Upsilon; Project Bypass; Project Infusion, a 5 month investigation of street level trafficking in the market and Rideau Street area;  a 60 day enforcement/suppression campaign “Project Bullseye” a high visibility enforcement operation in targeted areas and street gang members; Project ACE, a four month investigation targeting street gang members within the city and surrounding area involved in drug trafficking and firearms related offences

·         A number of joint operations were concluded in the last three years with law enforcement partners, such as:  Project Lancaster,  joint investigation into and charges of firearm trafficking;  a total of 226 charges were laid against 22 persons in an 18-month joint forces drug investigation Project Sleepwalker”;  12 people were arrested for a total of 107 charges in Project Finale” a joint operation targeting the activities of an organized crime group and the group’s drug trafficking activities;   “Project Yardwork” an Investigation of allegations of organized criminal activities, alleged to include insurance fraud schemes, Ontario Disability Support fraud and illegal drug activities.

·         2011 saw the completion of the CIS Enhancement Project that examined caseload, workload and process reviews, redeployment options and opportunities to increase specialized training, in-house, as well as completing the Role Overload research study, to determine the factors that precipitate feelings of overload in individuals, how high levels of overload affect individuals and the employer, and what strategies can be employed to effectively reduce overload and impact work/life balance in the workforce conducted by Dr. Linda Duxbury.

·         In partnership with the Child Development Institute, a screening tool was developed and piloted at the OPS. This screening tool will serve to increase referrals of children under age 12 who are showing signs of greater propensity towards criminal conduct. 

·         Deployment review of School Resource Officer programming completed in consultation with representatives of the 4 area school boards and private schools.  The new model was deployed in September 2010, and involved allocation of officer based on a school priority matrix that was established during the consultation.  A review was initiated in 2012

·         In early 2010, stakeholders participating in the Coordinated Victims Assistance Program (CVAP) participated in an online consultation to summarize the 102 recommendations developed at the April 20th 2010 event when over 90 key stakeholders representing the three levels of government, key service delivery/funding organizations, academia, and the victim community met to provide input on the current state of victim services in Ottawa, to share their vision for the future, and develop a formal framework for the coordination of victim services in Ottawa.  A stakeholder workshop was held during the 2011 National Victims of Crime Awareness Week and engaged Ottawa service providers and victim advocacy groups to build a collaborative network to connect and support services to victims of crime in Ottawa.  CVAP reviewed its terms of reference and has decided to transition to CVAN Ottawa – the Coordinated Victims Assistance Network of Ottawa.  In 2012, CVAN held the first CVAN networking meeting held in September that engaged stakeholders in developing action plans on the three key themes identified during the past two community consultations, focused on:  Training and Public Education; Referrals and Shared Clients; and, Recruitment and Expansion.  

·         Ottawa Victim Services and the Police Service collaborated on a number of fronts.  OVS has provided practical information and training to Community Police officers; provided resource material for distribution through the CPCs; and, during the National Victims of Crime Awareness Week in April 2011, the Police Service participated in Ottawa Victim Services’ Open House to educate the community on OVS supports to crime victims in our community. 

·         A state of the art, high definition video surveillance system was installed in the OPS cellblock with coverage zones including all temporary holding cells, phone rooms (video monitor only for privacy reasons) and the prisoner property room.  All cells are covered by cameras capable of recording on demand.  This system will capture and record high quality video of prisoner in the cellblock. 


 

·         The Ottawa Community Youth Diversion Program, a collaboration between the Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa, the Provincial Government, the Crowns Office and the OPS was recognized by Crime Prevention Ottawa and winner of the Community Safety Program Award.  This Program identifies youth and matches support programs to their needs in an attempt to divert youth from continuing to be at conflict with the law.

·         In January 2012, the Children’s Aid Society (CAS) of Ottawa commenced a one year secondment with the Ottawa Police Service’s Youth Section.  This one year pilot is being conducted as a cooperative venture to improve service to “At Risk Youth in Crisis” and their families through timely assessment and intervention on non-criminal matters. It also assists OPS officers and staff in facilitating interventions, providing clinical guidance and making effective referrals to other youth supporting community agencies.

·         Traffic Escort and Enforcement officers were part of a unique Distracted Driving Enforcement Initiative in 2012 as part of the City of Ottawa’s “Safer Roads Ottawa Road Safety Plan.  Officers dressed in plain clothes watched for drivers that were using their mobile devices.  When observed, they were directed to a uniformed officer further down the road.  A total of 175 charges were laid, of which 71 drivers were charged for using their mobile devices while driving.  There was a significant media and public attention around this initiative, which proved to be a valuable opportunity to further educate the public on the risks of distracted driving.

·         In October 2012, the Ottawa Police Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) was launched with the participation of 20 youth, aged 13-24 to be a voice for youth in the community, as well as a resource to the OPS in helping to gain a broader understanding of youth issues by working together on events, programs and other initiatives.

·         During September 2012, teams of officers, by-law inspectors, representatives from Action Sandy Hill and the University of Ottawa, and Councillor Mathieu Fleury's Office, visited areas with high student populations to bring them information about City by-laws and property standards.  OPS followed-up with an enforcement operation focused on ensuring concerns about noise and open alcohol violations were addressed. In the west end of our city, West NHO officers worked in collaboration with Algonquin College, Minto Security, By-Law Services, and OC Transpo, during “frosh” week to ensure a safe environment for students returning to class and to minimize the frequency and severity of disturbances on and around the Woodroffe campus.

 

 

Investing in Our People   

Goals:

1.0   Develop Performance Management Strategies to enable supervisors to better develop their staff

2.0   Establish training and development standards and expectations for organizational programs and individual education.


3.0   Establish a leadership development strategy.

4.0   Support recruitment, retention and development.

 

 

Key Results / Accomplishments 

·         The OPS implemented a new employee recognition program as part of the current Awards Policy that creates a process, and consistent and fair evaluation parameters, to acknowledge the achievements by civilian and/or sworn members.

·         Succession Planning is a critical component in both the development of members and retention of knowledge at all levels of the organization. A Succession Management Advisory Committee was formed, focused research with respect to both succession planning and talent management was completed, and facilitated focus group sessions were held to facilitate the development of both a framework and strategy regarding succession planning within the Ottawa Police Service.

·         The Civilian Career Initiative was officially launched in October 2010 and is now an OPS program supported by the CCI Joint Steering Committee, to ensure the ongoing effectiveness and efficiency of the process and ensure that the guiding principles of fairness, transparency, and consistency in the civilian competition process are supported. 

·         In 2010, the “Real You” Ottawa Police Service Wellness Pilot Program was launched, and in 2012 expanded to include an additional 100 members.  The program was designed to provide activities and support to improve participant’s overall health, wellness and positive lifestyle changes under the guidance of a multi-disciplinary team of a licensed medical doctor, psychologist, physiotherapists and naturopathic physician.

·         In January 2011 a new block training format was implemented, along with the introduction the new Platoon shift schedule, as a result of the Strategic Deployment program review.  Block training was identified as an effective tool for delivery provincially-mandated training to sworn members.

·         In 2011, the OPS participated in two external surveys:  the National Work-life Balance and Employee Well-Being Survey; and the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police survey on professionalism in policing. The aggregated results from the CACP survey will be used as part of the OPS ethics and accountability framework being developed under the Business Plan.

·         A two day comprehensive skill-based workshop/training session was held in late March 2011, for professions in the school, the community and the police who are, or will be conducting the threat/risk assessments as part of  Community Violence/Threat Risk Assessment Protocol“  that establishes a standardized collaborative response, sharing of information, advice and support between school staff, the community, community partners and responding police personnel for all high risk situations, adopted by Ottawa’s four school boards and the OPS.

·         To support of the training needs of members, a new and innovative Training Management System was introduced in 2011.  The new system was built from an extensive review and internal consultations which began in late 2010 to facilitate the planning, organization, direction, coordination, conduct and oversight of training within, and on behalf of the OPS. The new system incorporates an Annual Planning Cycle, improved forecasting of training demands by Directorate, and improved oversight and review process. 

·         In the later part of 2011, changes to the configuration of mobile workstations in nearly all police vehicles have been implemented to ensure a safer, more ergonomic working environment.  Improvements to the size and brightness of the in-car screen, upgrades towards a faster network, easier access to controls, and an adjustable keyboard, monitor and armrest will give officers the technical requirements needed to perform their duties in a safer, more effective work space.  Ongoing feedback on the improvements continues.

·         During the past three summers, the OPS participated in the Youth in Policing Initiative (YIPI), a summer employment opportunity for youth who reside in at-risk communities and helps to promote a positive relationship between police and the community and offers students training, mentoring and practical job skills for the future.

·         In November 2010, the Ottawa Police Service received the Passport to Prosperity Ontario Employer designation at a special Queen’s Park event. The designation was created by the Provincial Partnership Council to recognize organizations that demonstrated significant commitments to providing school-work programs for Ontario high-school students.  The OPS application was based on information on our Cooperative Education Program, Youth in Policing Initiative (YIPI), Take Your Child to Work, and the Ventures’ Program.

·         In January 2012, the OPS Ethics Program was launched.  An official kick off to the Ethics Program as well as the first annual Ethics Week at the Ottawa Police Service. As police professionals, it is the duty of each and every member to preserve life, property and the peace within the context of Canadian law and at the direction of the Ottawa community.  While the Ethics Program is intended to help guide us in making the best decisions possible, whatever the circumstance, they remain only words on paper until we put them into action. Our Ethics Program will serve as a reminder for all members of the fundamental ethical values behind our various roles in the police profession:  Honour, Courage and Service

·         Expected outcomes have been achieved in several areas and progress continues with the activities of the Community and Police Action Committee (COMPAC) as it pertains to updates to the Terms of Reference; membership/recruitment; research and development; and, community consultation.

·         In November 2012, the OPS launched the 2012 Workforce Census as a tool to further understand the changes in the OPS workforce since 2005, when the OPS was the first police service to undertake this type of census.  The census results will be used to develop initiatives, identify gaps in skill sets and member language skills, training, education and member work/life balance.

 

 


 

Enhancing Partnerships and Interoperability

Goals:

1.0  Enhance information and intelligence sharing to ensure timely information that supports decision-making and integrated response to changing threat and risk levels to public safety in the National Capital Region.

2.0  Develop an internal and external communications network to improve information sharing and intelligence gathering with the community, the City of Ottawa, emergency service and policing agencies.

3.0    Expand and enhance sustainable community partnerships that promote positive interaction and continual dialogue to meet community and operational needs. 

4.0   Leverage partnerships to create an accessible police service that meets the requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).

 

Key Results / Accomplishments 

·         Significant organizational resources have been dedicated to ensuring the safety and security of the public with the planning and deployment for several major events and a number of large scale organized demonstrations and events in collaboration with Operation INTERSECT partners. For example, Greenpeace Protest, Occupy Ottawa protest, demonstrations by the Congolese community, Chinese Presidential visit, G8, earthquake, G20, Queen’s visit, Canada Day.

·         The Ministry of Justice provided OPS with funds that afforded the creation of a joint initiative with the Provincial Center of Excellence for Child and Youth Mental Health. This partnership resulted in the development of a Comprehensive Resource Guide for Police on Child and Youth Mental Health. The material is available to all members of the OPS and professional colleagues working with children and youth afflicted by mental illnesses.

·         In 2010, the OPS in partnership with Autism Ontario, Ottawa Chapter launched the Autism Registry pilot project that will assist police with information about emergency contacts, physical descriptions, known routines, favourite attractions and special needs of autistic persons who have self registered.

·         Ottawa Police members actively participated and contributed to the success of the leadership team involved in Justice on Target, an initiative of the Ministry of Attorney General to reduce the number of court appearances, streamline processes and reduce delays in the court system. 

·         Work is progressing on the development of the NCR Communication Interoperability Plan.  

·         In response to concerns from Carlington residents about crime in their community, the Ottawa Police launched “Carlington Restore” in January 2011 with the support and in partnership with the Carlington Community Development Framework. Through enforcement efforts and community participation there has been a strengthening of relationships and community focus on crime prevention. 

·         In an effort to enhance our partnership work and resources, the OPS undertook a comprehensive inventory of existing partners/partnerships to document their role with OPS. The inventory will be valuable in moving forward with our community engagement and partnership approaches in the future.

·         The Police Services Board approved the participation of the OPS in the City of Ottawa’s Strategic Road Safety Action Plan:  2012 – Beyond and the 2012 Safer Roads Ottawa Program Work Plan. A joint initiative between the City of Ottawa Public Health, Public Works, Paramedic Service, Fire Services, and the OPS, builds on the success of the former Integrated Road Safety Program (2003-2011) and sets a new vision and Action Plan that is more comprehensive and responsive to road safety priorities and will help make the “City of Ottawa the safest traffic environment for all”.

·         To ensure compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and the Customer Service Standards deadline, mandatory Customer Service training was rolled out across the organization, with work continuing on additional components to be implemented in 2013 and beyond.

·         In January 2012, the Children’s Aid Society (CAS) of Ottawa commenced a one year secondment with the OPS Youth Section.  This one year pilot is being conducted as a cooperative venture to improve service to “At Risk Youth in Crisis” and their families through timely assessment and intervention on non-criminal matters. It also assists OPS officers and staff in facilitating interventions, providing clinical guidance and making effective referrals to other youth supporting community agencies.

·         Since its inception and through its partnerships, the OPS Mental Health Unit (MHU) has become a leader in dealing with mental health calls.  A new pilot project began in July 2012 which will see resident psychiatrists working with an MHU officer in the downtown core. This team will take all calls related to mental health which will provide quick assessment.

·         In October 2012, the OPS in partnership with Crime Prevention Ottawa, the Youth Services Bureau, and Ottawa Community Housing, hosted a Public Forum and Leadership Symposium “Taking Action Together: Addressing Gangs in Our City”, This two-day event included a public forum and a leadership symposium.  The sessions allowed community members and stakeholders the chance to come together and propose Ottawa-made strategies to address gangs.  The final report highlights priorities to address gangs in Ottawa, outlines guiding principles, and identifies immediate next steps to be taken by the OPS and our partners. Using the recommendations in the report, the OPS, in conjunction with the co-hosts of the symposium will look to develop a sustainable, long term approach to improving the way we take action to address gangs in Ottawa.

·         As part of the ongoing collaboration efforts with the City of Ottawa, the OPS are partnering on the Service Ottawa initiative, along with its emergency services integration projects.  Senior members of the OPS are assigned to each of the nine key project teams including: the facilities master plan, radio procurement, and tiered response.  Each of these areas represents opportunities for greater integration amongst the City’s community safety partners. 

·         To assist members when responding to calls for service, the Cultural Interpretation Services for Our Communities (CISOC) donated the “I Speak” language identification cards containing the “I speak” in a total of 52 languages.  Members can use these cards to help identify the first language of the member of the public by asking them to point to the appropriate statement.

 

 

Expanding Public Education, Community Engagement and Mobilization

Goals:

1.0  Assess and develop priorities for public education in every division and expand education about police services and structure where beneficial

2.0  Recognize and support the value of community engagement from the front-line and specialty sections. 

3.0  Mobilize communities around priority policing issues including reducing youth and domestic violence, positive youth outreach, reducing drug-related crime and crime prevention through social development initiatives. 

4.0    Align Ottawa Police Service education, engagement and mobilization efforts with those of the City of Ottawa and partner agencies and organizations, and link activities with operations.

Key Results / Accomplishments 

·         The Ottawa Police Services Board hosted an information and education session on Child and Youth Mental Health as part of its community outreach and engagement strategy in June 2010.  Discussion topics included understanding the implications of child/youth mental health, de-stigmatizing mental illness, crime prevention and available resources.

·         The community program, Lowertown Our Home Safety Project, was awarded the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police 2010 Community Mobilization award, in recognition of the community mobilization efforts of the residents of Lowertown East, in partnership with the OPS and 13 other community groups to improve the safety and security of their community.  This is the second year in a row that the OPS and a community partner have been recognized. Last year the exemplary on-going community mobilization work with residents and partners in the Vanier community were acknowledged. 

·         In February 2010, Rogers TV launched “On Patrol with the Ottawa Police”, a 10-part series that examined the police service and highlighting the many partnerships between the OPS and the community.

·         In November 2010, over 200 residents attended the Ottawa Police Services Board’s Public Interest Meeting to engage in an open dialogue on Racial Profiling. As part of the Board’s community outreach and engagement strategy, it was an opportunity for meaningful, interactive and informative discussion about racial profiling with community members and leading experts on the subject, the Ottawa Police Services Board, and officers in the Ottawa Police Service.  Subject matter experts shared their research and knowledge and the Police Service sharing a draft policy for ongoing discussion. 

·         The OPS launched a pilot program - the Neighbourhood Pace Car Program within West Division to stop speeding and calm traffic on neighbourhood streets.  A SafeKids Canada program, it was active in 17 schools and 6 communities, managed by the schools and community associations. 

·         In April 2011, the OPS Board, as part of its community outreach and engagement strategy, hosted a dialogue on “Community Solutions for Preventing Youth Crime”.  Over 55 interested community members shared their ideas on how to prevent young people from becoming involved in crime.

·         Through the Flag and Banner Program, the community and police come together in partnership to create a culture of mutual respect and build strong communities and understanding.  

·         Through a pilot partnership project with Vancouver’s eComm 9-1-1, the OPS has  been given permission to use and modify 9-1-1 promotional material in the Ottawa Police public awareness campaign to reduce the amount of accidental or false calls to 911 by hang-up, “pocket-dials” from cell phones, missed and prank calls.

·         The OPS Board hosted a very successful Let’s Chat Youth Café, a public engagement meeting planned by and for youth.  Attended by over 100 youth, participants and police explored and discussed issues of interest to youth.   The results of the discussion have led to the development of a youth engagement strategy for the OPS, and a Youth Advisory Committee for the police service which was launched in the fall of 2012. 

·         In July 2011 the OPS launched the “All Valuables Removed” campaign to raise awareness and combat theft from vehicles. This successful campaign helped raised awareness about this crime of opportunity with over 40,000 free warning cards issued to drivers.   Interest and inquiries have been received from other police services both nationally and internationally. 

·         Effective police work means being engaged, listening and working with the public.  Social media connects us with more people and gives us an opportunity to engage with them in a way that does not exist today.  Positive public feedback has been received with the launch of the official OPS Facebook and Twitter accounts. These are new mediums to further our engagement with the community. The OPS Social Media Committee continues their work on the development of a social media strategy, supported with policies and procedures regarding the use of social media at the OPS to guide our social media presence.

·         The Traffic Stop Race Data Collection Project is the result of a settlement agreement between the Ottawa Police Services Board and the Ontario Human Rights Commission.  Implementation of this project is ongoing and includes the development of a consultation plan (for the public and for members); specialized expertise of a York University Research Team to develop the methodology to collect and analyze race-based data;  the identification of IT solutions to collect the data; and, police training.  Race-based data collection for police stops is recognized as one of the tools available to help police services address concerns of racial profiling and can be used as a tool to address community concerns and questions. 

·         In September 2012, the Ottawa Police Services Board hosted a special presentation on the Police Complaints Process provided by Mr. Gerry McNeilly, Ontario’s Independent Police Review Director.

·         In December 2012, the Board and Police Service hosted a community consultation on the draft 2013-2015 Business Plan along with three member consultations at different OPS buildings. Great feedback from the community and our members was received through these consultations, and it will assist the OPS and Board, in refining the Service’s three year plan of action.