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REPORT RAPPORT |
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DATE:
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28 July 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: 2 May 2014
From: Member of the Public
OPS Members: Eva Savage, Cst. Pierre Fournier and Cst. Jose Barahona
Excerpts from letter: I am writing to express my deep appreciation for the help I recently received from a couple of officers in the Ottawa Police Service and, especially, the Mental Health Unit. Last fall, I turned to the OPS for help with a former student of mine who is now homeless and seems to have mental health issues. This person turned up at my office at the University of Ottawa one evening out of the blue. He soon began dropping in unannounced at my office and even disrupted one of my classes. As his visits and calls became more frequent they became increasingly worrisome to me, my family and at least some of my students. A friend advised me early on to talk to the Mental Health Unit and I am very glad I did. Cst. Pierre Fournier immediately grasped my predicament. He clearly explained what the police could and could not do within the limits of the law and advised me about how best to deal with future encounters with my former student. Within just a few days of my call Cst. Fournier had discussed the case with campus security, located my former student and visited him to assess his condition, offer him help (which, unfortunately, he declined) and advise him to steer clear of me and the campus. After the Mental Health Unit intervened, my former student stayed away for a number of months but resumed calling and visiting my workplace. Again I turned to Cst. Fournier for help and again he responded immediately. He spent an entire morning trying to find him—but could not. Shortly thereafter the former student was apprehended at my workplace and cited for trespassing. Despite being warned to leave me alone, he called me several times the next day at which point Cst. Jose Barahona took it upon himself to seek him out and warn him to stay away. In any case, I am pleased to report I have had no further contact from this person since Cst. Barahona intervened. Finally, in the mail today I received a follow up letter from Eva Savage of the Victim Crisis Unit offering counseling and other services to my family and me. We are doing just fine but appreciate the concern. I want you to know that I could not be more impressed with the way this case has been handled. I have been especially impressed by the balance that the members of the Mental Health Unit and Cst. Barahona have managed to find between giving respect and compassion to someone with mental illness and looking out for my safety and that of my family and students. Everyone involved responded incredibly quickly and effectively and it was very reassuring to me and my family. Thank you so much.
Date Received: 21 May 2014
From: Member of the Public
OPS Member: Sgt Catherine Brown
Excerpts from letter: I wanted to let you know about one of your officers who I feel should be recognized for her exemplary service to my family and I after the recent theft of our vehicle from our laneway in Orleans. She was very professional but also kind and caring. We always seem to hear the controversial stories about policing but she is what I imagined a police officer to be: professional, caring, good listener and kind. I think that Sgt Catherine Brown should be applauded and keep up the great work!
Date Received: 21 May 2014
From: Member of the Public
OPS Member: Cst. Caroline Tessier
Excerpts from letter: I thought you would like to know how professional and helpful Cst. Caroline Tessier has been. I met her at Lone Star St-Laurent Boulevard Restaurant where to my surprise I was served by Police Officers. My experience was quite delightful and an experience to remember. I thought this is a great idea by promoting the Ottawa Police cause and women in Policing. I asked information to Ms. Tessier about the recruitment process of the Ottawa Police. She was able to meet me and give me the information needed. I must tell you that she was pleasant, helpful, knowledgeable, very professional, and provided fantastic excellent advice! Cst. Tessier took the time to explain the process clearly and reassured me that she was there to help me and my questions were welcome. I felt confident that, although you are probably aware of Ms. Tessier professionalism, an email to say how much I appreciated her excellent assistance was in order.
Date Received: June 2014
From: Members of the Public
A few comments received following an arrest in relation to a series of unsolved sexual assaults:
· Thank for the hard work and no doubt, long hours in identifying and apprehending the sexual predator who has created fear and concern for all women in the city. It is a great relief to know he has been caught.
· Thank you for making this arrest. One of the young victims is a relative of mine and so I have been watching for updates. Thank you and good work.
· I am an aunt to one of the victims and my heart goes out to her for the pain, suffering and grief she has gone through and will continue to go through. Her brave stand against this perpetrator has been admirable, but I know there is much healing for her and her family to be done. The devastation this man has done to her and all the other women is unthinkable, and I pray the police service has everything they need to serve him the sentence he deserves.
Date Received: 3 June 2014
From: Member of the Public
OPS Member: Cst. Silvijo Setka and Cst. David Turnbull
Excerpts from letter: Last week, I called 911 because I honestly thought someone was in my home and I couldn't understand why I couldn't open my front door. Cst. Setka and Cst. Turnbull showed up and checked my place out to make sure it wasn't broken into and told me that it was probably my lock that had jammed and wouldn't let me in. I was quite embarrassed by the whole thing. After trying to get in my front door, they grabbed a neighbor’s ladder and Cst. Turnbull climbed the ladder and got in through one of the windows. It was quite hilarious seeing him go through my window. They both went above and beyond the call of duty to make me feel safe and secure and I am so grateful that they showed up even though it wasn't a real emergency. I'm sure this was a story that they told everyone at the station because it was too funny!! I just wanted to let you know how lucky you are to have these two awesome police officers on your force and what they did for me and that I will always remember them.
Date Received: 4 June 2014
From: Maria McRae, River Ward City Councillor
OPS Member: A/Staff Sergeant Burnett
Excerpts from letter: Good morning A/Staff Sergeant Burnett:
Thank you for your helpful and thorough update about this situation. It provides me with a significant amount of information and I will continue reassuring my residents that their community is safe. Finally, please accept my sincere gratitude and appreciation for everything that you and your team do. You are a reliable colleague and I am proud to work with you. Your leadership is certainly an example for others to aspire to. And on that note, I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge Inspector Flanagan's role as the leader of the team.
Date Received: 5 June 2014
From: Member of the Public
OPS Member: Cst. Brenda J. Kerr
Excerpts from letter: I wanted to tell about a very positive experience our volunteers had recently with Cst. Brenda Kerr. Two volunteers accompanied a client to the police station to give a statement. It is a complicated case but I was told Cst. Kerr was professional and patient. Afterward, she followed up with our staff to make sure we had the police report number and her contact information.
Date Received: 6 June 2014
From: Member of the Public
OPS Member: Julie Kubiseski
Excerpts from letter: I am sending this note to express my appreciation for the great service I received from Julie Kubiseski in the background clearance department. I called about the status of my record check request, which I required to accompany my daughter to a school outing. Julie went above and beyond to locate my request since I did not remember the date I submitted it, and she even made arrangements with her superior to have it delivered to my home the same day. Without Julie's dedication, I would not have been able to participate in my daughter’s outing. My daughter was so excited when I told her that I had received it. Please thank Julie on my behalf. She made a 7 year old and her father very happy!
Date Received: 8 June 2014
From: Member of the Public
Excerpts from letter: I wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you for the kindness you and a lot of your colleagues have shown me. I know I’ve been unruly and out of control on occasion but you have shown restraint and professionalism and kindness! Your fingerprint officer has been a pleasure to deal with. Your desk officers have made tough times a little easier. I hope I don’t have to see you in these circumstances anymore but you never know. I hope it’s just a wave from the side of the road. Thanks for your patience with this old drunk and keep up the good work. Some of us do see it and understand that you are doing your job.
Date Received: 9 June 2014
From: Member of the Public
OPS Member: Sgt Maureen Bryden
Excerpts from letter: I am the proud father of a 7 year old daughter. My ex-wife went to pick up our daughter at school while under the influence of alcohol. The principal noticed this and while trying to keep her occupied had the front office staff call 911. The school is on the outskirts of town and I know it takes time for cruisers to make their way out to Metcalfe. The principal spotted Sgt Bryden coming into the school off duty for an assembly and alerted her to what was going on. Sgt Bryden, even though off duty, took it upon herself to intervene, understand the situation and knowing cruisers were on their way ensure that my ex-wife did not leave with my daughter. When the cruisers showed up she noticed that my daughter was waiting in the lobby and could plainly see her mother being spoken to by the police. She took her aside and let her know that there was an issue with the sticker on her mother’s license plate. It should be noted that my daughter is very afraid of police as her mother was taken in a few years ago and that night was a traumatic experience for her. So Sgt. Bryden’s compassion and quick thinking minimized the fear she felt that day. Additionally, her quick thinking when speaking to my daughter minimized the potentially negative impact a child seeing their mother being taken away would have had. While I have seen her at the school, I have never met her, but my daughter and I will always be in her debt.
Date Received: 9 June 2014
From: Member of the Public
OPS Member: Cst Shawn Adams
Excerpts from letter: I just wanted to take a moment to provide some positive feedback on a recent community visit from one of the Ottawa Police Services officers. Cst. Shawn Adams visited the Preschool Class at our Nursery School a couple of weeks ago. He did an amazing job with the children providing them with information on how to recognize a police officer and when an officer could be of help. He had a positive and friendly manner that really put the children at ease and allowed them to feel comfortable asking questions. We had one child in particular who is generally quite afraid of “Men in Uniform” and Shawn went out of his way to ensure that she understood he was a “Safe” person to talk to if she needed help. She even shook his hand at the end of the presentation. Kudos Cst. Shawn! Thank you so much for visiting our school and giving us your time and expertise.
Date Received: 9 June 2014
From: Member of the Public
PS Members: Cst. Bruce Marshall
Excerpts from letter: I am a volunteer with Ottawa Victim Services and accompanied a client to the police station on Elgin to support her in submitting a police report. The client was struggling with what had happened to her, was emotional and had trouble understanding the process once a report is filed. Cst. Marshall was working that afternoon and took it upon himself to join us from behind the office area. He listened carefully to the client, ensured her that what happened to her was not her fault, validated her experience and offered insight into OPS' process once a report is filed. He was extremely patient and kind and we, myself, the other volunteer I was with and the client were extremely impressed with his service.
Date Received: 16 June 2014
From: Member of the Public
OPS Member: Cst. Andrea Lensen
Excerpts from letter: I am a Youth Outreach Worker working with street-involved youth and therefore, am occasionally in contact with the police. As you are likely aware, there is often a lot of hostility/mistrust between street-involved youth and the police. I wanted to make you aware of the experience I recently had: One of the youth I work with was having a mental health crisis so I made the decision to call 911. Two officers arrived and assessed the situation. The circumstances were complicated (mental illness, homelessness, addiction etc.) and there was no easy solution. One of the officers, Andrea Lensen, told me that they were required to take the youth to the emergency room. This particular youth has had issues with both police and hospital personnel, and she did not want to cooperate. Cst. Lensen took the time to speak with the youth, calm her down, and convinced her to let them take her to the hospital. I expected that as soon as we got to the hospital, the police would leave. Instead, Cst. Lensen spent the next 2 hours with the youth, trying in every way possible to help. She listened to her, empathized with her, offered support and advice and even advocated for her. During my time working with high risk youth, I have never seen a police officer act with such respect, kindness, empathy and compassion. I believe that Andrea Lensen’s actions are worthy of praise. She was professional and compassionate, a difficult thing to do in a position of authority; and that made all the difference. The youth, for the first time in her life has had a positive interaction with the police and this is a big deal.