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REPORT RAPPORT |
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DATE:
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24 March 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: Director John Steinbachs
LETTERS OF COMMENDATION
Date Received: 28 December 2013
From: Member of the Public
OPS Members: 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. Recently, our home was broken into and this was 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. Like the two previously mentioned, Cst Melburn 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 police services 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 you for all they did to help us out!!
Date Received: 28 December 2013
From: Member of the Public
OPS Member: Francis Beaudry
Excerpts from letter: When I called in an automobile break-in, the person on the line was very professional, asked relevant questions, got to the point and didn't make me feel like I was wasting his time. I had called to report for your tracking and wasn't looking for a solution but he gave me a realistic output from the information I gave him, which was also nice. Your folks are doing a great job and I wanted to pass along my thanks to the service.
Date Received: 10 January 2014
From: Member of the Public
OPS Member: Cst. Paolo Crescenzi
Excerpts from letter: Last month, I had a bad diabetic reaction during the night. The police were very quickly on the scene and did much to help until the Paramedics arrived. Although I remember very little my husband has told me of their kindness and I wish to extend my thanks.
Date Received: January 12, 2014
From: Member of the Public
OPS Member: Cst. Jonathan Conohan
Excerpts from letter: Cst. Conohan was assigned to my case when my belongings were stolen. He not only located the individual who stole my belongings but had them back to me within 48 hours. He also followed up with me to ensure that the individual in question had not contacted me in any way.
He acted with extreme professionalism and was an overall kind and compassionate human being. In short, he has gone above and beyond the call of duty, and he deserves to be recognized for this. Cst. Conohan is doing good police work, and has made me recognize and appreciate the dedication of the Ottawa Police Service. If possible, I would like to go higher up with this so if there is anyone else I can contact to express my gratitude (perhaps a supervisor), please let me know. He deserves so much more than this short letter.
Date Received: 21 January 2014
From: Member of the Public
OPS Members: Cst. Shawn Adams, Cst. Derek Van Zutphen and Cst Aaron Casselman
Excerpts from letter: My stepson suffered a schizophrenic paranoid attack and called 911 to report we had a home invasion. He was confused and thought I was a stranger who broke into the house. Three patrol cars arrived and all of them were courteous and professional. The lead officer displayed exemplary skill, patience and compassion in the treatment and handling of my stepson who was clearly not of a sound mental state. I cannot say enough good things about these officers. Please send along my gratitude and if such is warranted, whatever commendation(s) are appropriate for their actions.
Date Received: 29 January 2014
From: Member of the Public
OPS Member: Const. Justine Todd
Excerpts from letter: The other day, Const. Justine Todd came by to take my girlfriend’s statement of her daughter’s sexual abuse.
I was a mere fly on the wall for emotional support, and did not contribute anything of real value to the statement. However I was very impressed with the way the constable gathered her information for the statement. She sat through about an hour of emotional description from my girlfriend, letting her get her resentment off her chest. She then started backtracking, and even then her questions were non-invasive, empathetic and made my girlfriend feel very much empowered and back in control. It is important to tell someone when they have gone above and beyond. Even though this may have been another day to her as a police officer, Cst. Todd should know how much good she has done for us and I personally would like to say thank you. This little family can finally start healing. I do believe that it is the small acts of kindness that keep evil at bay.
Date Received: 30 January 2014
From: Member of the Public
OPS Member: Cst. Jacques Carriere
Excerpts from letter: Cst. Jacques Carriere visited my father a few months ago, due to my father continuing to drive with a suspended license. I had been very concerned about this state of affairs but was unsure of how to stop it. Cst. Carriere visited my parents at their home. I happened to be there at the time, which was a complete coincidence. Nevertheless, I am very glad I was, in order to relate my compliments regarding Cst. Carriere to you. He was respectful and kind yet was extremely eloquent in explaining the seriousness of what my father was continuing to risk by driving. He was able to reach my father in a way no family member has been able to do. I was so impressed by Cst. Carriere; he epitomized everything a police officer should be. He is a credit to your service.
Date Received: 30 January 2014
From: Member of the Public
OPS Member: Cst. Lori Fahey
Excerpts from letter: I am writing this letter in an effort to adequately commend the job that Cst. Lori Fahey does with the Ottawa Police Service.
Lori is the Community Police Officer at the Kanata/Stittsville CPC where I have been a volunteer for the last few years. I have had the privilege of working with Lori in the community delivering CPC programs as well as helping out at food banks and lunch programs. She does a phenomenal job of engaging with community members and being a positive force that breaks down barriers between police and the citizens of Ottawa. I have learned so much from her hard work, integrity, and commitment that will have a lasting impact on my life and hopefully a career in policing. The OPS and the citizens it serves are lucky to have her and I hope that one day I can better my community as she has.
Date Received: February 18, 2014
From: Member of the Public
OPS Members: Sgt. Mark Kenneth Kilby and Cst. Ian Kemp
Excerpts from letter: During the Holidays I ran into car trouble. I attempted to get back to the car rental office but it was already closed so I headed toward the nearest gas station. I then requested assistance from two respectable and approachable gentlemen nearby who turned out to be two of your own: Sgt. Mark Kenneth Kilby and Cst. Ian Kemp. These two very capable men sorted out the car problem promptly and courteously. I did not realize at the time, I had stopped beside a police station, but what a fortunate coincidence that was for me.
I was nervous driving in the fast-paced traffic on the Queensway, being used to a jurisdiction with a 40 km/hr speed limit. Sgt. Kilby and Cst. Kemp gave me very helpful directions on how I could get to my destination without using the Queensway, in addition to their unstinting assistance with the car on a cold and blustery day. These men were courteous and efficient as well as acting above and beyond their call of duty. I am certain you already know how good your people are, but I feel it is important to acknowledge the kindness, helpfulness and outstanding dedication to safety promotion. I am most thankful.
Date Received: 12 March 2014
From: Member of the Public
OPS Members: Cst. Bernard, Sgt. Boucher and Nicole Edens
Excerpts from letter: I was attacked by a random person and since I have not been in this sort of situation before, I was impressed at the efficiency of the 911 operator and the response time of the police officers when they arrived. Of course, response times will always seem long when someone is threatening you, but after the fact I noticed it took only six minutes from the time I placed the call, to the time the officers arrived and came to my defense. I never had to call the police before and despite what happened, I feel safer knowing our city's police service is so effective.