Ottawa Police Services Board
July 28, 2014
Chief’s Verbal Report
Good evening,
I would like to begin by focusing on the issue of guns and gangs in our community and on some excellent work accomplished on this priority by members across the service. In recent days we have seen a great deal of public attention focused on gang-related shootings. While the number of shootings has remained consistent with previous years, as police, and as a community, we remain troubled by the brazenness of this violence and are committed to ending it. There is work happening on this priority every day.
I would like to speak to a few recent examples.
Shots fired at vehicle on Bank
Late last week, we received a report of shots fired from one vehicle at another on Bank Street, north of Heron Road. There were no injuries. Within hours, the suspects were arrested and charged and several search warrants were executed. A total of 5 people were charged, 60 charges laid, and a number of items seized including: two handguns, drugs, and a vehicle. These events are significant and we continue to look for links between shootings.
Gun seizure on Heatherington following foot pursuit
Within a day of the shooting incident on Bank Street, members from our East District Neighbourhood Section seized a gun and made an arrest while out on proactive bicycle patrols in the Heatherington/Fairlea community. A man was approached by officers for consuming alcohol in a prohibited location. He fled and a foot pursuit was initiated. The pursuit ended in a residence and the man was arrested and a fully-loaded handgun seized. No one was injured in this matter and a 22-year-old is facing a number of charges.
I want to acknowledge all of the members involved in these investigations, arrests, and charges. Every step we take to get a gun off the street or stop gang violence has a direct and meaningful impact on the community we serve. But guns and gangs is not just a police issue. It is a community issue. There are broader social factors at play such as family support, education, poverty, housing, mental health, and the local economy. These factors extend well beyond our role as a police service therefore engaging partners and the community is imperative. To address these factors, we are employing a multifaceted solution that includes:
· Working with partners
· Developing and implementing prevention strategies
· Educating youth, as well as their families on the dangers of gangs.
· Intervening with children, youth and adults, at various stages of gang involvement
Enforcement and suppression are two strategies that will continue to be used by the Ottawa Police Service to identify those responsible for this violence and hold them accountable.
Missing Person Case – Alan Rayburn
I want to thank and acknowledge the members, partner agencies and civilians who worked throughout this past weekend to help locate an elderly missing person. The individual had been reported missing on Friday afternoon. The searchers focused on difficult terrain that included parkland, wooded areas and dense high grass in the Crystal Beach area. The search included a variety of OPS members, Ottawa Paramedics, members from the OPP and Global One. Those resources were important to ensure we could cover all the ground necessary in as rapid a time possible.
The individual was located by searchers some 47 hours later near a fence line in high grass and has been reunited with his family.
Drugs and firearms seized during search warrant in East
As well last week, East District officers conducted a search warrant in relation to a man wanted for criminal harassment and extortion. The case involved allegations that a man was criminally harassing 13 women living in Orleans using an online identity. Seized from the address were two firearms, ammunition and a quantity of cocaine. The man was later located and arrested. An additional 9 women have come forward since two media releases were sent out, bringing the number of known victims to 22.
2014 Police Awards Ceremony
On June 3, 2014, we hosted our annual Police Awards Ceremony. All sworn members who completed 20 years of exemplary service received the Police Exemplary Service Award. Police officers who completed an additional ten years of exemplary service were also presented with an additional bar, which is worn with their medal. In recognition of civilian employees, Civilian Service gifts were presented to those who have completed 20, 25, 30 and 35 years of full time service. Other awards at the ceremony included the Canadian Peacekeeping Service Medal and the International Peace Operations Commemorative coin.
Doors Open Ottawa
The OPS again participated in Doors Open Ottawa on June 7, 2014. This year, we had two locations open to the public for a “behind the scenes” view of policing – Headquarters at 474 Elgin Street and our Professional Development Centre at Algonquin College. There were plenty of things to do and see at both locations and was well attended by members of the community.
RCMP Moncton Funeral
More than 60 of our members marched in Moncton with thousands of our colleagues from across North America to honour the three RCMP officers killed in the line of duty. We joined with the community at the Moncton Coliseum to honour those three men – Cst. David Joseph Ross, Cst. Douglas James Larche, and Cst. Fabrice Georges Gevaudan. It was important that we were there to show our support to the RCMP and to the Moncton community where this senseless violence occurred.
Suicidal Person
On June 15, East Patrol officers responded to a complaint of a male climbing over the overpass walls of Highway 174 with the intention of jumping to the highway below. Officers succeeded in stopping traffic below where the male was located. Cst. Jennifer Simpson was the first officer to arrive and interact with the male, and managed to talk the male away from the edge of the overpass. The male was transported and admitted to hospital. Officers on scene commended Cst. Simpson for her rapid rapport-building with the male subject and her quick and safe resolution to the call. I would also like to commend Cst. Simpson for her actions.
New Recruits
18 new Ottawa Police officers were officially sworn in on June 19, 2014. The class included a wide variety of life experiences including a former park warden, a former tactical officer with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, a former semi-pro soccer player, and a former Sheriff from Alberta.
2014 OACP Conference
The OPS hosted this year’s Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP) Annual Conference at the Chateau Laurier Hotel from June 22-25, 2014. We welcomed more than 250 attendees, and thanks to our members and volunteers, it was a success and gave us a chance to discuss some of the key issues facing policing in this province. Special appreciation goes to the planning team who, under the leadership of Deputy Chief Jill Skinner and Supt. Dan Delaney, did a terrific job organizing this gathering of Ontario police leaders.
Canada Day
This year’s Canada Day operations were a success. The number one priority for the OPS is public safety for everyone. All appropriate measures were in place to ensure that public safety was maintained. I heard some great feedback from citizens about our officers and I have thanked all of them for their efforts in ensuring celebrations were held in a safe and happy manner.
Child Abduction – Amber Alert
On July 10, 2014, we received a call for service for a parental abduction at Tunney’s Pasture of a 2 year old child. The boy was taken by his father. Shortly afterwards, the 2 year old was located safely. The father has been charged with Disobey Lawful Order from court, and one count of abduction. The collaboration and teamwork that took place around this call was truly impressive. It is yet another example of our officers’ ability to rally around a common objective in order to achieve collective good.
Defrauding of Elderly Female
Between June 2011 and October 2013, three men attended the victim’s residence under the guise of doing renovations. During this time, minimal work was completed on the house and what work was done was of poor quality. The victim was repeatedly billed for work that was never undertaken or completed. The incident came to light when the victim fell ill in October 2013 and told her family about the “work” being done at her house. The victim was subsequently diagnosed with advanced Alzheimer’s disease. Donald Burton, Tong Tran and Keong Tang have been charged with various fraud related offences, including Conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, Fraud over $5000, and Laundering Proceeds of Crime. The total monetary loss was $257,900.00.
211 Huntmar Collision Reporting Centre Now Open
The first of three OPS Collision Reporting Centers is now fully operational at 211 Huntmar Road providing a faster, safer and efficient process for vehicle collision reporting. For now, only collisions in the west end that meet the criteria will be diverted to the Huntmar CRC. The other two locations (Elgin St and 10th Line) will be set up and running by end of the year. It is expected that 70% of all collisions, or 13,000, will be redirected to a CRC by the end of 2014. This will free up about 8,600 hours of patrol time, which will be redirected to responding to more serious crime and reducing and preventing criminal activity.
I am happy to answer any questions you may have.
Thank you.