REPORT

RAPPORT

 

DATE:

 

27 May 2013

TO/DEST:

 

Executive Director, Ottawa Police Services Board

FROM/EXP:

 

Chief of Police, Ottawa Police Service

SUBJECT/OBJET:

 

LETTERS OF COMMENDATION

 

 

RECOMMENDATION

 

That the Ottawa Police Services Board receive this report for information.

 

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 the report:  Director John Steinbachs


LETTERS OF COMMENDATION

 

 

Date Received: 3 March 2013

From: Member of the Public

OPS Members: Cst. Tim Keen, Cst. Barmak Anvari, Cst. Alex Kirady and Cst. Jeff Simpson

Excerpts from letter: Recently, my wife and I rushed our son to the hospital as he was having difficulty breathing.  We were waiting in a room at emergency when two individuals were brought in by four OPS officers.  One individual who was placed in the room next to us was shouting as loud as he could.  This was upsetting my son greatly as he was already tired.  The four officers were waiting in the hallway for their clients to be examined by a doctor, and could hear my son crying.  At one point, I returned to our room to console my son and I heard a knock at our door.  The four officers had brought my son a teddy bear from one of their cars and came in to our room; that made my son smile!  He called the bear “Apple” and took a great deal of comfort in having the bear.  The officers also, unknowingly, helped break the stress my wife and I were experiencing as a result of the situation.  I wanted to personally thank and commend these four officers for their kind action and true professionalism.  Each of them played an equal role in their response and should be thanked equally. 

 

 

Date Received: 12 March 2013

From: Member of the Public

OPS Members: Sgt Anthony Skinner and Cst. Wendy Marcuccio

I want to thank Sgt Skinner and Cst. Marcuccio who helped check on my brother at his home when he was unreachable. My brother had passed away in bed and had been there for some time.  This is not a task or sight that is pleasant for anyone to do so the courtesy, consideration and professionalism shown were more appreciated than a simple note can express.  My family was also quite delighted to have Cst. Marcuccio come up to the house during her drive by.  The house was certainly vulnerable and her thoroughness & consideration were, again, much appreciated.

 

 

Date Received: 4 March 2013

From: Member of the public 

OPS Member: Cst. Michael Robillard

Excerpts from Letter: My sister had been planning her suicide for months and went to her favourite park in Ottawa to die.  Fortunately, it was not a cold night, and a jogger found her early the next morning.  Cst. Robillard was assigned the case and contacted my mother.  He was extremely prompt with returning my call and very professional.  He was compassionate, thorough, and truly cared about the case. He spoke kindly with my mother and was genuinely interested in what my sister had to say.  Congratulations on having such a wonderful representative of the OPS; and by copy of this letter, please pass on my sincere thanks to him for his excellent work ethic and dedication to duty and the people he serves.

 

 


Date Received: 4 April 2013

From: Stittsville United Church

Excerpts from Letter: The members of Stittsville United Church wish to express our appreciation to the Emergency Service Workers who do such a wonderful job working on our behalf. In light of emergencies and tragedies which have taken place in our community recently and in the past, we recognize just how difficult your job can be and we wanted to let you know how thankful we are for all that you do.  We have witnessed your skill and concern first-hand by your response to emergency situations which have happened in our own congregation.  Once again on behalf of Stittsville United Church I want to thank you, and everyone involved with the OPS and other emergency services in our community. Your efforts are indeed recognized and appreciated.

 

 

Date Received: 17 January 2013

From: Member of the Public

Excerpts from Letter: I just wanted to thank the OPS for their prompt and appropriate response to the report of a possible man with a gun in an apartment building.  Even though it turned out to be a replica firearm I was comforted that the response was to send a tactical team to this potentially dangerous situation.  Thank you all for your continued hard work.

 

 

Date Received:  28 January 2013

From: Dr. Jay G. Mercer, Director Bruyere Family Medicine

OPS Member:  Cst. Abid Nasim

Excerpts from Letter: I made a call to your dispatch centre about a patient that I felt was at risk of harming himself.  The call was passed to Cst. Nasim who then contacted me for additional background data.  Based upon incomplete information, he made the decision to enter the home of the patient and discovered him in the process of committing suicide.  The patient was then taken to hospital.  The prompt intervention here certainly saved this individual's life. It was an example of outstanding community policing.

 

 

Date Received: 22 March 2013

From:  Chris D. Lewis, Commissioner, OPP

Excerpts from Letter: As Commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), I take this opportunity to commend you and all members of the Ottawa Police Service for the extraordinary effort that went into the preparation and delivery of Kativik Regional Police Force Constable Steve Dery's funeral service.  The tragic death of this young officer had a devastating impact on all who serve and risk their lives every day in the line of duty.  The Ottawa Police Service provided tremendous support to Cst. Dery's family and the Kativik Regional Police Force at a very difficult time.  As a result of the visitation and funeral service, Cst. Dery was honoured with great respect and dignity.  Again, I commend the Ottawa Police Service for its compassion and appreciate the camaraderie shared between the entire policing family.

 

 


Date Received: 3 February 2013

From: Member of the Public

Excerpts from Letter: Thank you so much to the officers responding to the alarm call at my home.  It was a break and enter.  The officers talked to my daughter and made sure the home was secure again.  No valuables are missing.  Well done!

 

 

Date Received: 21 January 2013

From: Member of the Public

OPS Members:  Cst. Jeffrey Eva-Gonzalez, Cst. Alan Tam, Cst. Brad Rohrig, Cst. Nermin Mesic and Jay Brodie

Excerpts from Letter:  This morning we hosted a guns and gangs presentation by Jeff Eva-Gonzalez, Alan Tam, Brad Rohrig and Nermin Mesic.  The presentation was excellent; engaging our student population and providing a great message to an important audience.  Special commendation to Jeff who shared a very personal story of his own childhood that the students found very emotional.  An excellent presentation on behalf of these officers.

 

 

Date Received: 3 February 2013

From: Member of the Public

OPS Member:  Cst. Sean Convey

Excerpts from Letter: My brother in-law had a sudden heart attack which proved to be fatal. My sister called 911 and during this response call, each of the personnel involved were exceptional in their duties, especially Cst. Sean Convey who we found to have gone beyond his normal duties as an officer of the law.  He provided us with all the information we needed from the Crisis Centre we could contact, to the Funeral Home.  Cst. Convey stayed with us while we waited for the funeral parlour to arrive.  Then when my sister was emotionally unable to stay for his removal, he escorted her to a neighbour’s house.  He shortly returned with her and stayed giving us more information, as well as giving us much needed strength and support.  Cst. Convey even comforted our beloved family dog, who at the time was also visibly upset.  What an exceptional police officer you have in Cst. Convey!  We would like you to pass this on to all his superiors, stating such exceptional valour and kindness should not be unnoticed.