Ottawa Police Services Board

September 23, 2013

Chief’s Verbal Report

 

Good evening,

 

OC Transpo/Via Rail Train Collision

 

I want to echo the comments of the Chair and extend the condolences of our entire service to the families of the victims.  A tragedy like this affects so many people in our community.  I know our thoughts are with the victims, the injured and their families, friends and loved ones. 

 

I am incredibly proud of the work done by our members and our partners at the City including OC Transpo, Ottawa Fire and the Paramedics.  Members from across our service including the Communications Centre, patrol, district, Collision Investigation, Victim Crisis Unit led by Donna Watson-Elliott, Dispatch and investigators all played a role in our response.  Multiple Incident Commanders played a crucial on scene leadership role throughout the response for this event, led by Inspector Murray Knowles and assisted by Inspector John Medeiros.  At one point over 300 first responders from police, fire and paramedic services attended this scene.

 

I also want to acknowledge the members of the community who saw the collision and were among the first to come to the aid of the passengers.  

 

It has been a few months since we last met and I have several items to bring to your attention.

 

Amy Paul

 

The Major Crime Unit continues to investigate the homicide of Amy Paul.  Her body was found in a field on Cabin Road near Nixon Road.  Her murder has prompted our service to reissue a warning to women, particularly those engaged in the sex trade, to be vigilant and exercise caution.  The people in this activity are often victimized.  We have been working to build trusting relationships that encourage sex trade workers to come to us if they need help or fear for their safety.

 

Excellent Work – Barricaded Person Call

 

On July 26th, the OPS was requested to assist the Children’s Aid Society who had an apprehension order for a 7-month old.  After initial occupants were arrested for obstructing police, a lone male barricaded himself in the basement with the infant.  First officers on the scene contained and provided support to Tactical Officers.

 

Negotiators attended and attempted to peacefully resolve the issue, but did not make positive progress.  After a number of hours of tense negotiations, Tactical Officers noted the father had put the child to bed in another room and forcefully enter the residence.  The male was subsequently arrested without incident.  The infant did not suffer any physical injuries.

 

Calls such as this can end in many ways, but the training, professionalism and commitment to service by OPS members ensured a safe and positive outcome.

 

Construction Site Break & Enters

 

Between July 26-28th, at the request of the Break and Enter Unit, members of the OPS Surveillance Unit conducted surveillance on two individuals in relation to break, enter and thefts of construction material in south Ottawa.  Both accused were observed attending various construction sites and stealing material from the sites, as well as entering new homes under construction and stealing bags of insulation.  The accused persons were arrested by the Surveillance Unit.  Charged with numerous criminal code offences are Gaston Lanthier and Darryn Kelly.

 

Congratulations to the OPS Pipe Band

 

The OPS Pipe Band had the unique opportunity to perform at Sir Paul McCartney’s concert on July 7th, at the Canadian Tire Centre.  26 members of the band took the stage to play Mull of Kintyre which brought the house to its feet.

 

The band’s track record bodes well; it has won first place showings at every competition it has attended in Ontario this year.  Though the OPS Pipe Band didn’t win in the World Pipe Championships in Glasgow, Scotland, it was a great opportunity to gain international exposure.

 

Good Work Done by Platoon West Member

 

On August 1st, Cst. Wendy Marcuccio responded to a call in the west end where a male armed with a knife was confronting an ex-girlfriend.  Cst. Marcuccio intercepted the individual and with great tactical communication skills was able to talk down the male.  As a result, the male was arrested and there were no injuries to any parties involved.  Cst. Marcuccio’s actions are an excellent example of how the de-escalation training officers undertake pays off on the street.

 

Conviction in Human Trafficking

 

In August 2011, Central District investigators began investigating a tip that an underage girl (17 years old) was involved in prostitution at an Ottawa area hotel.  Detectives located and rescued the girl, who was taken to a place of safety and put in contact with proper support groups.

 

The ensuing multi-jurisdictional investigation enabled investigators to obtain extensive evidence corroborating the victim’s story, resulting in the arrest of Jamie Byron, 24, of Montreal.  He was found guilty of nine charges, including human trafficking, assault and living off the avails of a prostitute under the age of 18.  This is the first conviction in Ottawa for domestic human trafficking.  Other cases are currently underway and this conviction sends a strong message that Human Trafficking is a serious crime that won’t be tolerated.

 

Ottawa Public Library Risk Mitigation

 

I also want to pass on the thanks from Library Board Chair Jan Harder and Library CEO Danielle McDonald expressing their thanks for the work done by Inspector Chris Rheaume, and Constables Matthew Hunt and Ryan Pierce who performed a CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) audit of the Main Library.  The audit done by OPS had a large impact on the OPL and these members are thanked for their support in making the Main Library safer for the 15,000 people who visit every week.

 

District and Neighbourhood officers

 

I want to note the excellent work done by our Neighbourhood officers.  The summer months can often be busy for these groups of officers and they have been working across the City to address the safety concerns of the communities they work in.  We saw a great deal of activity in Vanier with targeted enforcements aimed at drug activity and johns, an enhanced foot patrol targeted disorder issues in the Byward Market and community safety projects throughout September targeting enforcement of nuisance offences in the downtown core.

 

Members of the Board will also have seen coverage of the completion of Project Sunset - a three week joint effort targeting street gang activity.  It involved both West District neighbourhood officers and the Direct Action Response Team (DART).  The project resulted in thirteen arrests, fifty-one charges, seizures of drugs, knives, machete, and one replica handgun. 

 

Finally, I would like to congratulate Supts Uday Jaswal and Don Sweet and Insp John Medeiros on their promotions earlier this month.  All three are excellent examples of the high calibre individuals who are members of this Service.

 

Police Memorial Service

 

I would like to remind members of the Board and the community that the Annual Canadian Police and Peace Officers' Memorial Service will be held this weekend on Sunday, September 29th. Once again we will meet on Parliament Hill to honour our fallen comrades.  We meet to keep their memory alive, and to ensure that the magnitude of their sacrifice will never be forgotten.

 

I am happy to take any questions you may have.