Letters of Commendation Received since last Regular Police Services Board Meeting

Agencies/Members of the Public		OPS Members	Excerpts from Letters
Sr. Cst. T.B. Plunkett Ontario Provincial Police	Sgt. Brian Mieske Cst. Alex Kay		I would like to thank members of your department for assisting me in a fatal vehicle collision that occurred on Hwy 417. Their prompt action and professionalism during this traumatic situation was greatly appreciated. It is both a pleasure and a comfort to know that the two policing agencies work so well together.
Mr. Jacques Côté The Royal Canadian Legion	Chief Vince Bevan OPS Members		It is my privilege to extend our thanks to you and the officers of the City of Ottawa Police Force for your continued assistance and support at the National Remembrance Day Ceremony.
Chief Paul Battershill Victoria Police Department	S/Sgt. Rock Lavigne		Sergeant Fox (Victoria Police Department) conducted a pre-arranged visit to your department in order to examine your web-based technology, specifically your Intranet system. He has advised me that the time and information he received from S/Sgt Lavigne made the trip very worthwhile and exemplified the spirit of inter-agency cooperation and knowledge sharing.
Ms. Patricia A. Pottie Royal Ottawa Hospital	Sgt. Peter Linegar		…I am writing at this time to thank you for your invaluable assistance and advice to me over the years. I also thank you for offering that assistance in a warm and pleasant manner. I cannot tell you how important it has been to be able to call on “my expert policeman” in urgent situations with our patients.
Mr. Luc Barbe	OPS Members		I have been to other Canadian cities and I just wanted to say the Ottawa Police in general are a great Community police service. They act more as part of the community than other places - it makes me proud to be from Ottawa.
Ms. Gemma Kerr New Edinburgh Community Alliance	Insp. Wayne Martin Sgt. Fred Vance		For several years, during the summer, late-night rowdiness and possible drug-dealing have been bothering residents in the area of Stanley Park in New Edinburgh. This year, detailed consultation involving residents, Neighbourhood Watch, Councillor Jacques Legendre, and Police and City representatives have led to improved lighting ….and implementation of Police bicycle patrols. The problem incidents have since decreased considerably. I would like to say how much we appreciate the Police working with us to make our community a safer and better place to live….
James K. Stewart, Chief Counsel Crown Law Office	Sgt. Jeff Webster		…The support that we requested involved an investigation into a complicated and fact-specific complaint of excessive force used by the subject officer in the course of a difficult arrest…Sgt. Webster investigated and provided a thorough investigative report that included well-reasoned and documented conclusions, all on very short notice. It is always a pleasure for our counsel to work with the Professional Standards Branch of the Ottawa Police Service, and Sergeant Webster is a big part of why that is true.
Ms. Danielle Rondeau Canadian International Development Agency	A/S/Sgt. Kai Liu		This letter is to request the participation of the Ottawa Police Service in an event that the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) is sponsoring in Trinidad and Tobago from February 3 – 5, 2003. The meeting will bring together representatives from police forces and non-governmental organizations of the Caribbean region to assess the work that has been carried out in relation to addressing domestic violence in the region. These activities have focused on training of police officers to respond to cases of domestic violence and some programs for perpetrators. The organizers of the workshop would like to invite Canadian experts who have been involved in this kind of work to help the group evaluate work done to date and possible directions for the future.
Mr. Fo Niemi, Executive Director Center for Research-Action on Race Relations, Montreal, Quebec	Sgt. Murray Knowles Cst. Frank Corkery		During CRARR’s special training session in Montreal on hate crime investigation and prosecution, Detective Corkery not only helped educate and inform investigators from the Montreal police and Crown Attorneys, but he also aided in sensitizing public institutions to hate crimes.
Mr. B.J. Swords, Principal St. Pius X High School	Cst. Kelly Cooper		Cst. Cooper, SRO, has just left the school having addressed the whole student body in three assemblies. She spoke to them about date rape and specifically the drugs associated with date rape….You could have heard a pin drop during all three of the presentations. This is no small feat, to confidently stand and speak to hundreds of students. Cst. Cooper did a marvelous job and I’m confident that her message was heard and understood.
Member of the Public	Cst. Tammy Nault		About a year ago I was severely depressed…I want to commend Cst. Nault on her ability to make me feel better when I went through such tough times…I feel safe knowing that she is a part of our police force.
Member of the Public	Sgt. Jean Paris Sr. Cst. Normand Bertrand		I would like to take a moment to thank you, and through you to congratulate your police officers and paramedics for a job well done at our home last week…The results were better than I could have imagined…how impressed we all were by the timely, competent and courteous intervention of our city police and the 911 dispatcher and paramedics.
Mr. Kevin MacLeod Canadian Heritage	Chief Bevan Members Escort Team		I am writing to express the sincere thanks of the Department of Canadian Heritage for your invaluable support rendered during the lying in state and state funeral for the late The Right Honourable Ramon John Hnatyshyn…
Mr. Ian Clough	Cst. Randy Selig		… I was out for my usual noon-time jog when some teenagers, out on a joy ride, decided to take a run at me and had I not jumped out of the way, may have been severely injured. At the time, I was very mad and didn’t really think of calling the police, thinking there would be little that could be done. I was very wrong. Cst. Selig interviewed me, took note of all the details of the incident and charged the youth…I was extremely pleased with his professionalism and prompt resolution of the matter.
Mrs. Cheryl Parrott Hintonburg Community Association	Cst. Roy Lalonde Cst. Sarah Lawson		…The two officers worked well together and utilizing their complementary skills made them a very effective team. They are both outstanding officers that have helped bring Hintonburg another giant step closer to the livable community we are all working towards…Working with building owners has been an effective method of reducing illegal activity within the community….Nearby businesses have commented positively on the marked reduction in activity in the square and in front of their businesses.
Mr. John Macdonald	Cst. Greg Rhoden		Recently, the above officer investigated a car accident in front of our property…What impressed me was the manner in which the officer proceeded to carry out the investigation. Cst. Rhoden left with me the impression of a professional police officer, whose conduct could only gain credit for the Ottawa Police Service.
Ms. Jessica McNally Assistant Crown Attorney	Det. Bruce Munro Det. Gerry Kinnear		The officers have been able to bond with them (parents of the victim) and to sort through the very difficult cultural problems that exist in relation to getting evidence and information….. I’d like to say that both officers are very quick to reply to my requests, extremely helpful and very easy going. I appreciate their assistance...
A Member of the Public	Cst. Jacinthe Dion		Officer Jacynthe Dion, who was dispatched to the scene, succeeded in settling the matter in a very efficient and intelligent manner. Her swift intervention is highly commendable and deserves congratulations.
A Member of the Public	Sgt. Peter Lineger Adult Missing Persons		Our son, could not be found ….. and so it was decided to report him missing to the police. Your Sergeant Lineger took all the details we could provide and, at the same time, was very helpful and comforting to, not only my wife and I, but also to our grown children, who were very actively concerned. We want to thank you for the role that the Sergeant has been given but he is clearly very limited by his heavy workload and we feel he needs much more assistance in this extraordinarily tough line of work.
Ms. Eva Hudakova Ms. Lucya Spencer Immigrant and Visible Minority Women Against Abuse	Sgt. Lyse Fournier Partner Assault Unit		Sgt. Fournier has been recognized as the expert in the area of criminal harassment and, having been associated with the department for over ten years, is one of our longest standing colleagues in the field of violence against women…We would like to compliment you on your selection of professionals within the Partner Assault Unit as well as thank Sgt. Fournier for her exceptional participation in this case...
Mr. Emile-J. Therien Canada Safety Council	D/C Hill		I am pleased to inform you that Deputy Chief Larry Hill is a recipient of the Queen’s Jubilee Medal in recognition of his significant contribution in helping to create a better, and safer Canada. (D/C Hill is a member of the Safety Council’s Board of Directors.) The Jubilee Medal was struck as Elizabeth II celebrated her 50^th year as Queen.
Ms. Jane Fyles Dalhousie Food Cupboard	Carole Lacasse Cst. Darren Vinet Cst.Jacky Lord Cst Chris Cochrane Cst. Kevin Linnett Karen Stephen		The expectations of children in poor families put such a strain on parents who are already only just making it from one day to the next, and we feel so inadequate with the support we are able to provide. So, help is an enormous boost to the family and also to us. We know there is more to it than goodwill. We are grateful for the goodwill of course, and all the leg work that went into the effort.