REPORT RAPPORT

DATE:	28 October 2013
TO/DEST:	Executive Director, Ottawa Police Services Board
FROM/EXP:	Chief of Police, Ottawa Police Service
SUBJECT/OBJET:	APPOINTMENT OF SPECIAL CONSTABLES – RCMP

RECOMMENDATION

That the Ottawa Police Services Board approve the appointments of Brent Harris and Jennifer Erin Ratte as Special Constables pursuant to Section 53 of the Police Services Act in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in the attached Approval of Appointment form.

BACKGROUND

In 2003, the Police Services Board reviewed a recommendation concerning an ongoing integrated policing initiative that would see members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) appointed as Special Constables.  This appointment would enable the officers to enforce certain Ontario provincial statutes in the City of Ottawa.  Their appointments would continue for a period of three years. 

The initiative was based on the desire to continually improve the delivery of policing services to the residents of the City of Ottawa by capitalizing on the existing co-operation between the Ottawa Police Service and the RCMP. The opportunity existed to build on the interoperability of the two services and the goodwill gained during special event policing, and to apply these concepts to day-to-day policing functions. The goal of this arrangement is to enhance policing capabilities for both the OPS and the RCMP.

In pursuing this initiative, the Ottawa Police Service had six key objectives:

· Additional back-up resources for OPS members responding to calls;

· Increase in community confidence;

· Enhanced current partnerships in co-operation with the RCMP;

· Reduced confusion regarding mandates and limits of authority;

· Enhanced response without usurping mandates;

· Elimination of artificial barriers.

The RCMP wanted to attain a number of important objectives with the appointments of their officers:

· Operational experience for patrol officers;

· Experience giving and gathering evidence;

· Increased opportunity for interaction with the public in a policing capacity;

· Enhanced response capability in the federal mandate;

· Streamlined communication;

· Team building.

To ensure that these employees can carry out their assigned duties, applications are made to the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services to have them appointed as Special Constables pursuant to Section 53 of the Police Services Act.  The Police Services Board appoints the RCMP members as Special Constable upon approval by the Ministry.  The appointments are valid for three years or until the appointees are no longer deployed in Ontario. 

DISCUSSION

Approval has been obtained from the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services for the appointment of these members as Special Constables. Pursuant to Section 53 of the Police Services Act, upon receipt of the Board appointment of their status, the members will be required to undertake the Oath of Office by the Chief of Police.

CONSULTATION

Not applicable.

FINANCIAL STATEMENT

Not applicable.

CONCLUSION

The Ottawa Police Service is fortunate to have an excellent working relationship with the RCMP. The approval of Special Constable status for these RCMP Members will enable them to undertake the full scope of their duties while assigned to the Ottawa area.

(Original signed by)

Charles Bordeleau

Chief of Police

Responsible for the report: Director General Debra Frazer