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REPORT RAPPORT |
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DATE:
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24 February 2014 |
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TO/DEST:
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Executive Director, Ottawa Police Services Board |
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FROM/EXP:
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Chief of Police, Ottawa Police Service |
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SUBJECT/OBJET:
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LETTERS OF COMMENDATION
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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 (OPS).
(original signed by)
Charles Bordeleau
Chief of Police
Attach. (1)
Responsible for the report: John Steinbachs, Director, Corporate Communications
LETTERS OF COMMENDATION
Date Received: 28 January 2014
From: Member of the Public
OPS Member: Cst. Jasdeep Bajwa
Excerpts from letter: Two months ago, I accompanied Cst. Bajwa for a ride-along and observed the duties and various interventions that police officers deal with regularly. Throughout the shift, Cst. Bajwa was exposed to a variety of delicate and potential volatile situations in which he responded with great professionalism, discipline and composure. Cst. Bajwa exhibited superb interpersonal and problem-solving skills and exemplified what a leader truly entails. I wish to express my sincere appreciation for this rewarding experience. I learned a great deal about policing and the adversities that frontline officers are exposed to on a daily basis. I have completed various ride-along programs with other police services and proudly believe that the OPS is exemplary to other services and continue to serve as a prestigious force for all. I wish to commend this police service and Cst Bajwa for this rewarding experience.
Date Received: 10 January 2014
From: Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre (staff)
OPS Members: Sgt Felix Letellier, Sgt Steven Sauve, Cst. Jonathan Conohan, Cst. Adam Munro, Cst Michel Oger, Cst. Fay Zouroudis, Cst. Scott Lawrence and Cst Jennifer Tennant.
Excerpts from letter: I am writing you a note to express our most sincere thank you to your team of police officers who handled the tragic incident involving a patient early this year at The Royal. The nurses and physicians have asked me to convey their gratitude towards the officers who conducted the investigation as they found them to be very professional and compassionate. We have always valued the work of the OPS and your assistance during this difficult time made all the difference for them. On behalf of our nurses and physicians, please convey our most sincere appreciation to your officers in the manner in which they conducted themselves.
Date Received: 31 December 2013
From: Member of the Public
OPS Member: Cst. DeWayne Knight and Cst. Tyler Munro
Excerpts from letter: I wanted to write to let you know how professional and caring the two officers who helped us were: My friends and I were walking on Sussex St when my friends were assaulted by a passing man. Luckily, a police cruiser was right there and the man was eventually arrested and taken away. Please convey our thanks to them for their kindness to us and their professional handling of a very belligerent person whose behaviour became increasingly violent. These officers will always remain the two who gave us a very positive impression of the OPS. Well done, gentlemen!
Date Received: 31 December 2013
From: Member of the Public
OPS Member: Cst. Arun Daniels
Excerpts from letter: Last month, my staff accompanied a client to the OPS station on Elgin to report a serious crime. They met with Cst. Daniels who took the client's statement. I wanted to let you know how impressed my staff was with Cst. Daniels and the way he interacted with our client. They said he was professional, patient and kind in talking with her. He took a considerable amount of time to speak with her, ask her questions and answer any questions she had. My staff could not say enough good things about Cst. Daniels.
Date Received: 28 December 2013
From: Member of the Public
OPS Members: Sgt. James Killeen, Cst. Henry Matamoros, Cst. Violeta Dimova and Cst. Melburn White
Excerpts from letter: My wife and I would like to take a moment to acknowledge some of your staff after our home was broken into. As you know all too well this is a very unsettling experience that we will never forget. After discovering that we had been broken into we called police. The first arriving officer was Cst. Henry Matamoros. Right from the moment he arrived until he left many hours later he was professional and exceptionally helpful. He answered and re-answered our many questions while reassuring us and providing excellent advice. We knew we were in good hands! We also dealt with Cst. Violetta Dimova who came to our home to check for finger prints and other bits of evidence. She too was very understanding of our situation and made us feel as if we were being well looked after. We also dealt with one of your detectives whose first name is "Mel" (Cst. Melburn White). Like the two previously mentioned, Cst. White took the time to provide advice and answer questions, never making us feel rushed or insignificant. This situation was the first time we have ever had to use the police service in this manner (we hope it is our last). Nevertheless, each member of your team that we encountered during this event was phenomenal. What stands out is just how "human" they all were. They empathized, sympathized and expressed what we interpreted to be genuine concern for our situation. Please pass onto each of these members our sincere thank for all they did to help us out!!
Date Received: 16 December 2013
From: Member of the Public
OPS Member: Sgt Marshall Clark
Excerpts from letter: A fellow runner had a faint spell and passed out while running. Let me say up front that he is doing well and is home after a number of tests at the hospital. Luckily he fell into a soft snowbank so there was no injury as a result of the fall. I arrived minutes after my friend fell and it is what transpired while I was there that I feel important to pass on: two cars had stopped to help, one couple providing blankets and another gentleman who is a Reverend from a local church. Also, when I arrived I saw Sgt. Clark beside our friend. His relaxed and controlled demeanour and the immediate support provided by not only our running group but four complete strangers, certainly proves how quickly the troops rally in time of need. It is comforting to know that when I am out running, that I am surrounded by such a terrific, caring group of people.
Date Received: 13 December 2013
From: Member of the Public
OPS Members: Cst. Robert Latourell and Cst. Keith Heaton
Excerpts from letter: I would just like to compliment the service that I received from the OPS. The professionalism and comportment, during the response to an incident at my residence of Cst. Robert Latourell and Cst. Keith Heaton was extraordinary. I feel it important to highlight the way in which the incident was handled by both officers. Thank you very much to both for their assistance.
Date Received: 11 December 2013
From: Member of the Public
OPS Member: Cst. Paul Cahill
Excerpts from letter: Last week I was "lost" downtown and I made a wrong U-turn. I was very frustrated. I was pulled over by one of your constables and figured I was now going to have to pay a fine- Wasn't a good day. Well, that wasn't the case. I was pulled over by Cst. Cahill. He was very nice, and seemed to understand right away how frustrated I was by the way he treated me. He was nice enough to not only give me a verbal warning about the illegal turn, but also help me find my way. I think that officers like Cst. Cahill are important, and just wanted to let you know.
Date Received: 6 December 2013
From: Member of the Public
Excerpts from letter: We have been driving from Orleans to the Walkley Rd area for several years and we realize how busy our OPS can be. We felt compelled to thank you for an outstanding service you have been providing many of us who drive through the intersection at the corner of Renaud and Anderson Rd daily. Each morning we see a cruiser with flashing lights with a dedicated police officer standing at the corner directing traffic no matter what the weather is like. It surely helps the start of our day as we go into work. Please pass on our sincere appreciation and thanks to the men and women of the OPS who continue to serve our community well.
Date Received: 6 December 2013
From: Member of the Public
OPS Member: Cst. Paul Cahill
Excerpts from letter: I want to draw your attention to the very noteworthy and highly commendable conduct of a wonderful Ottawa Police Officer, namely, Cst. Paul Cahill. I wish that all police officers could be cloned to comport themselves with the kindness, resolve yet compassion that Cst. Cahill embodied and demonstrated to my wife and I when he stopped us. I made a wrong turn in a no left turn zone in downtown Ottawa after not seeing a clearly posted sign at dusk; as such, I had no excuse. Cst. Cahill rightfully stopped me and asked me explain my action to which I gave the frank and honest answer that I just did not see the sign; subsequently he suggested that I step out of my vehicle and take a look at the sign which I did. I once again informed Cst. Cahill that there was no excuse. I also asked him to be gentle on the penalty as I was a law abiding citizen and that my wife and I were having some financial challenges. Cst. Cahill was noncommittal and took my licence and other documents and afterwards came back to my vehicle. He handed me two ticket notices which I took without even looking at them. They were not tickets (with financial fines) but rather warnings which Cst. Cahill then expanded upon in a very humane manner and without a hint of sanctimonious lecturing or patronage. The officer expressly stated that he was not interested in imposing a punishment for its own sake (which I know he was fully entitled to do), but rather wanted people to learn from their mistakes and help them take their responsibilities seriously so as to ensure the safety of all citizens. He then insisted that as a sign that I took my responsibilities seriously that “I should take my wife out to a nice dinner” (which she was very happy about as you can imagine). Chief Bordeleau, I wanted to draw your attention to how Cst. Cahill conducted himself as my wife and I were very moved and appreciative about the compassion, kindness, and yes, wisdom that he demonstrated to us. Please take some action to recognize him in front of his peers, as he truly represents Ottawa’s finest!!!! Finally, Cst. Cahill, while I salute you, sir, please note that your actions required me to take my wife out for a nice expensive dinner (rather than just the wonderful pizza that we had in the car with us that night that you stopped us) LOL.