REPORT RAPPORT

DATE:	24 November 2014
TO/DEST:	Executive Director, Ottawa Police Services Board
FROM/EXP:	Chief of Police, Ottawa Police Service
SUBJECT/OBJET:	LETTERS OF COMMENDATION

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

A few comments from members of the public following the Parliament Hill incident on Wednesday, October 22:

Ø Thank you, thank you, thank you for looking out for all of our citizens. Please, look after yourselves.  You are human beings first and foremost and must take care of the human aspect of what you all endured yesterday.  Thank you

Ø I was watching CBC News' report on the shootings in Ottawa.  What struck me was RCMP, police, and soldiers protecting people and sending them out of harm's way and going TOWARD the sound of gunfire.  Brave, brave people.  Thank you for all you do.

Ø Once again you show how much you love this city of ours.  The events of yesterday, both shocking and surreal and your calm and controlled reaction to them shows this once again.  I have peace knowing that they are out there protecting me and my family 24/7/365.  Thank you again for all that you do. 

Ø I am proud of the calm, efficient way you dealt with yesterday's situation.  You minimized what could have been awful chaos, you helped keep the idiocy of rumor mongering to a minimum, and your actions helped us all feel safe today.

Ø I just wanted to take a moment to say THANK YOU to all of you, the police force, the first responders and everyone involved in making our city a free city within 12 hours of the incident.  Although we should remember our fallen soldier, it is too bad that your contribution to resolve this incident is not being recognized.

Ø I live in Toronto and wish to thank all members of the Ottawa Police Service for their swift professional actions yesterday.  Words are difficult at this time. Be safe.

Ø I live in Montreal and was on my way to Ottawa in the morning when I heard about the shooting.  Watching the news as a Montrealer and a proud Canadian, I would like to say thank you to all police officers and RCMP for the amazing job that you men and women did yesterday and for keeping our capital safe and for putting your life on the line every day to keep us safe.  Thank you.  I am proud to be a Canadian.  All involved yesterday are true heroes.

Ø I am a 911 Dispatcher working for Halton Regional Police Services (west of Toronto). I just wanted to send my thoughts and prayers to all staff at Ottawa Police Services.  I can only imagine the radio room on Wednesday morning and what the call takers and dispatchers were going through.  Great job for all in Comms in responding to hundreds of calls, managing the on air transmissions all the while knowing the huge risk and danger to your officers on the road.  OTTAWA STRONG!!!

Ø I wanted to express my thanks to all the brave men and women of the Ottawa police force who were out on the streets yesterday, helping to keep us safe in the midst of the shooting crisis.  As I crossed near Wellington and Lyon, I saw road blocks and police calmly directing traffic and pedestrians away from West Block.  I saw a policeman near the Bridgehead and asked what was going on.  Even in the midst of the crisis, he was calm, helpful and so courteous, explaining there had been a shooting but the shooter was down.  I asked if it was safe to keep walking and he explained that for now it was, but I should follow police instructions if things changed.  You are such brave men and women, and we are so lucky to have such fine people protecting us in Ottawa.

Ø I'm just a regular Jane Doe.  No one important really.  But please take a moment and pass on my sincere “thank you” and appreciation to your staff for their service and daily sacrifice.  Sometimes getting an email from a "regular Joe" is all that is needed to bring back a smile and give hope and strength to carry on.

Ø A moment ago I bumped into two of your officers as I was coming home.  After the recent events, I thought best to stay out of the way, and offered to take a separate elevator. I  was told it was fine, and although a very brief exchange, they made me smile.  The two officers were warm, friendly and even cracked a joke.  With the sadness and apprehension of the last 36 hours, it was nice to smile at a silly joke. Hope you can take a moment to thank these two officers for the smile and normalcy.

Date Received: 28 October June 2014

From:  Member of the Public

OPS Members: S/Sgt Hugh O’Toole, Cst. Ryan Poitras  

Excerpts from letter:  Today we had officers respond for my son who has mental health issues and I wanted to take a minute to express my thanks and gratitude for all their help and assistance.  The officers at the hospital were very professional and listened to what we had to say and were very instrumental in helping us get my son the help that he needs.  I truly believe that as a result of their report to the hospital staff along with our accounts of his behaviour, it enabled the hospital staff to make the right decision.  I worked as a medic for 13 years and I know how much difficulty the police have to deal with especially with youth mental illness.  I want them to know how much I appreciate everything they did and I am very grateful. I do not remember their names as there was so much going on but please find them and pass on our Thanks.

Date Received: October 23, 2014

From:  Member of the Public

OPS Member: Unknown

Excerpts from letter:  We have had to call the non emergency line quite a few times due to the fact we live across the street from a park and down the street from a high school.  Our calls have always been received promptly and action taken quickly.  We have also had to call for neighbours and students speeding down our street and for other issues with the high school students.  We are really grateful for the professional and prompt services.  In all the years we lived here every time we called we were always treated with the upmost respect and concern. Thank you.

Date Received: September 26, 2014

From:  Member of the Public

OPS Member: Cst. Fraser Potts

Excerpts from letter: I was unfortunately involved in a collision and Cst. Potts was first on the scene.  I want to commend him for his calm and professional behaviour.  His first concern was the well being of all involved.  He was patient, polite and quickly took control of the scene.  I thank him for his assistance.  He is an excellent representative of the force and deserves recognition.

Date Received: September 26, 2014

From: Options Bytown

OPS Members: Cst. Michel Oger and Cst. Bruce Marshall

Excerpts from letter: Options Bytown staff and management are very appreciative of the ongoing relationship between our organizations when providing services to those most at risk in our community who are facing complex needs and are at risk of homelessness.  Cst. Oger and Cst. Marshall were responding to a matter regarding a tenant.  They took the time to listen and intervene in another situation that was occurring at the same time.  The staff had just placed a call to the police regarding an issue with a non-tenant that had been escalating. A tenant’s boyfriend was often seen entering and leaving the building unescorted, and at times bringing in other people who were not tenants and had a history of taking over units. This non-tenant refused to hand over keys on a number of occasions.  We explained to the constables the vulnerability of our tenants and the recent incidents of unit takeovers, and our efforts as landlords to minimize the risk of unit takeovers.  The officers acted as a mediator even though this issue is more of a Landlord Tenant Act issue than a police matter.  Both constables displayed excellent communication skills in the face of verbal abuse and constant yelling from the tenant.  They were calm and assertive throughout their interaction with a person that was verbally abusive and yelling at them.  They took the time to thoroughly explain the situation to the boyfriend and offered support to the staff.  The boyfriend who initially refused to hand over the keys did come downstairs after the police left and returned them to staff.  We feel this would not have happened without these officers taking the time to try and resolve the issue. Cst. Oger and Cst. Marshall should be complimented in their efforts in community policing.

Date Received: October 2, 2014

From:  Member of the Public

OPS Member: Cst. Bradford Tierney

Excerpts from letter: I am very satisfied with the follow up by one of your service members to a police report I submitted quite some time ago. I was accosted by a bicyclist riding on a sidewalk a few months ago and I filed a report.  Recently, I received a call on my voicemail from one of your members who was patrolling downtown sidewalks looking for cyclists riding where prohibited.  He relayed his level of commitment and understanding for my situation and indicated some of the realities of his work (eg. being where the critical mass of cyclists are).  I am completely satisfied with what I learned from your member and wish to pass on to him my thanks for his efforts.  His words were very much more welcome.

Date Received: November 5, 2014

From:  Member of the Public

OPS Member: Cst. Kari Colucci

Excerpts from letter: I want to thank Cst. Colucci for her caring words, excellent advice and professionalism.  She listened to my issues and helped me understand the need to report all verbal abuse/harassment and bullying towards me and my family so the Police can do their work in helping us.  She was very patient with me, despite my tears, listened to all my concerns, never rushed me and then provided very good suggestions.  I felt she truly wanted to help me. I would like her supervisor to know how she is very professional and a fine example of a caring and knowledgeable Ottawa Police officer.

Date Received: October 30, 2014

From:  Member of the Public

OPS Member: Organization

Excerpts from letter: BRAVO and thank you for the traffic "operation" in which a number of your officers are pulling over and ticketing drivers using the Bus Only lane.  It is very frustrating to sit in traffic while other drivers pull into the Bus Lane and zoom by.  Thanks again.