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REPORT RAPPORT |
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DATE:
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22 July 2013 |
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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.
(Original signed by Acting Chief Ed Keeley on behalf of)
Charles Bordeleau
Chief of Police
Attach. (1)
Responsible for the report: Director John Steinbachs
LETTERS OF COMMENDATION
Date Received: 12 June 2013
From: Paul D. Cook, Chief of North Bay Police Service
OPS Members: Cst. Charles Benoit and Cst. Chris Cochrane
Excerpts from letter: I am sending this letter to thank and recognize the above named constables from within your police service for the invaluable support and training they recently provided to members of our Community Oriented Response and Bicycle Units. Cst. Benoit and Cst. Cochrane took time from their busy schedules to travel to North Bay and provide CanBike II Police Mountain Bike Training to eight of our officers on June 3rd and 4th. The feedback from all of our members was extremely positive, specific to the knowledge, skills and abilities of your officers and the high level of professionalism they displayed while in North Bay. It was obvious to me that they were proud members of your service and pleased to be in our city to assist us with this essential training. They are without doubt a credit to your police organization. With the ever-increasing challenges we all face in policing, inter-agency cooperation and support becomes even more critical. Once again, please pass on my personal thanks to Cst. Benoit and Cst. Cochrane for their outstanding efforts.
Date Received: 6 June 2013
From: Member of the Public
OPS Member: Cst. Adam Gal
Excerpts from letter: I cannot tell you how impressed I was with the bravery and risk to his own life that Cst. Gal took when he drove the wrong way on the Queensway to protect my client and other users of the road. It was further compounded by Cst. Gal having to drive a further 500m against the traffic when my client did not pull over despite being signalled to do so. Even after the 500m, Cst. Gal had to make contact with the vehicle and force it with the aid of his cruiser into a concrete barrier. I appreciate the risk Cst. Gal took to himself, his family and the nightmare of SIU problems that he could be facing if any kind of an accident had occurred. It was an unbelievable risk to take and I am quite sure that not every police officer would have risked his/her life in those circumstances. I would ask you to thank Cst. Gal from the people who have no idea that he may have saved their lives. You may see these acts daily but maybe next time you are considering an award for bravery, consider Cst. Gal's actions.
Date Received: 7 June 2013
From: John S. Gardiner, Chief of Brockville Police Service
OPS Member: Cst. Akiva Geller
Excerpts from letter: Cst. Serge Landry of the Brockville Police Service recently conducted a theft investigation that lead to the Ottawa area and the assistance of Cst. Geller of the Ottawa Police Service. Cst. Geller was very professional and positive, and greatly assisted our member with this investigation. He was able to track down and retrieve our complainant's recently purchased cell phone which had been stolen. As a result of his quick response in this matter, he was able to recover the cell phone and it was returned to the victim in good working order. I ask that you pass along my sincere gratitude to Cst. Geller for his assistance to the Brockville Police Service.
Date Received: 26 June 2013
From: ByWard Market BIA
OPS Member: Cst. Donald Duff
Excerpts from letter: On behalf of the ByWard Market BIA, City of Ottawa, and the ByWard Market Street ambassadors, we extend our since gratitude to Cst. Duff who consistently provides positive support with ongoing situations in the Market. Cst. Duff’s actions are always reliably professional and demonstrative of his genuine care and concern for our team. It is both comforting and reassuring to know that officers of such quality are doing their utmost to uphold law and order while caring for the safety of everyone. Cst. Duff deserves recognition for his actions and involvement. Our situations are at times challenging and problematic, and Cst. Duff’s willingness to go above and beyond helps us to resolve these situations and helps make this a better place for everyone.
Date Received: 4 January 2013
From: Member of the Public
OPS Members: S/Sgt Robert Drummond and Cst. Theresa Kelm
Excerpts from letter: On behalf of myself, my daughter and my family we want to express our deepest thanks and utmost appreciation for the members of the Ottawa Police Service who in our opinion went above and beyond the call of duty to assist us through a difficult time and experience. My daughter went through some horrific events, but was so fortunate to meet with the professional, kind and caring members of your staff. What started badly has ended in a very positive and inspirational way for both her and my family in large part due from initial contact with the Ottawa Police Service. We would like to commend Cst. Kelm for her outstanding professional guidance, service, emotional support and mentorship to my daughter. She did give her heart and soul to my daughter from beginning to end. S/Sgt Drummond and Cst. Kelm have provided us with dignity, respect, straight answers, honest opinions and professional service. They are fine officers and genuine good people. Their diligence and dedication have helped us through the charges and legal proceedings that we as a family had no doubt of what the outcome would be.
Date Received: 3 June 2013
From: Member of the Public
OPS Members: Cst. Clinton Danson
Excerpts from letter: When I accompanied Cst. Danson on a ride along, he showed me the upmost respect and showed great pride in his profession. I learned many different facts about the Ottawa Police Service (OPS) as well as a lot about my own community. The professionalism and pride he takes in his work is phenomenal and shouldn't go un-noticed. Not only did he respect me as a young man interested in the service but to all his fellow officers and the public (no matter what shape they were in) as well. After completion of my ride along I now know that becoming a constable its 100% what I am meant to do with my life and due to the observations I took while on my ride along, Ottawa will be among the services I apply to. Thank you so much again and I hope recognition is given to Cst. Danson for a job well done.
Date Received: 29 May 2013
From: Member of the Public
OPS Members: Cst. Robert Smith
Excerpts from letter: Cst. Robert Smith performed a heroic procedure and saved my husband's life. We will never forget how quickly and effectively your officer responded to a call for help even though he was off-duty and in a different city. My husband and I were visiting Kingston when he had a major heart attack in the fitness room of the hotel; he had no pulse and was in extreme distress. Luckily for us, Cst, Smith was staying at the hotel with his family and heard the 911 call. Within seconds, he was down the stairs and in the fitness room starting CPR on my husband. He continued until EMS arrived even though my husband was not responsive. The cardiac specialists at the hospital have told us that Cst. Smith's skill and training in CPR and emergency care was the difference between life and death. The next morning, Cst. Smith recognized me and asked with concern and compassion how my husband was doing. I cannot tell you how grateful we are that my husband lived to have quadruple bypass surgery. Cst. Smith proved that a policeman is our best friend even when he is not on duty. I think he represents your force with honour, compassion and with a very cool head in an emergency. We thank you for the excellent training you have given Cst. Smith and we commend you for having such a fine person and officer on your force.
Date Received: 23 June 2013
From: Member of the Public
OPS Members: Cst. Dinis Oliveira and Cst. Shane
Gregan
Excerpts from letter: My mentally handicapped brother was found wandering by Cst. Oliveira and Cst. Gregan. He had been gone for 22 hours and had become dehydrated and incoherent. Paramedics were called and my brother was taken to the hospital. I then drove to the hospital, followed by Cst. Oliveira. He escorted me where the Paramedics, the nurses and doctors were taking good care of my brother who is now back at home with me. I want to say that both Cst. Oliveira and Cst. Gregan were very courteous and helpful; they obviously consider their job is mainly helping people in distress. They also expressed concern that my helpless brother could have been victimized by vagrants who sometimes squat in nearby bushes. Please include my compliments in the personnel files for both officers for use in any future job evaluation or promotion considerations.
Date Received: 21 May 2013
From: Member of the Public
OPS Members: Cst. Steven Lewis and Cst. Francis Roberge
Excerpts from letter: I want to express my very sincere thank you to Cst. Lewis and Cst. Roberge and all of you who dealt with my son's case. Not only they showed tremendous professionalism in matter investigation, but they also took the extra steps to educate and influence youngsters in a very positive manner. As a parent and a residence in Ottawa, I owe you all at the Ottawa Police Service a big thank you for what you have done. Thank you!