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Ottawa
Police Services Board
Minutes 2
Monday,
26 January 2015, 5:00 p.m.
Champlain
Room, 110 Laurier Avenue West, Ottawa
|
Present: Councillor E. El-Chantiry
(Chair), J.
Durrell (Vice Chair), Councillor J. Harder, L.A. Smallwood, C.
Nicholson, Councillor T. Tierney
ELECTION
OF CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR
Ms. Fedec, Board Executive
Director, explained that in accordance with Section 28 of the Police
Services Act and the Ottawa Police Services Board Procedural By-law, the
Board must elect a Chair and a Vice Chair at its first meeting each year.
Accordingly, she requested nominations for the position of Chair.
Member Durrell moved that Member
El-Chantiry be nominated to the position of Chair of the Ottawa Police Services
Board. Member Harder seconded the nomination.
The Executive Director
called for any additional nominations. There being none, the following motion
was considered:
That the Ottawa Police Services Board
appoint E. El-Chantiry as Chair of the Board for 2014.
CARRIED
Chair El-Chantiry then called
for nominations for the position of Vice Chair.
Member Smallwood moved that
Member Durrell be nominated to the position of Vice Chair, and Member Nicholson
seconded the nomination. There being no other nominations, the following
motion was considered:
Moved by L.A. Smallwood
Seconded by C. Nicholson
That the Ottawa Police Services Board
appoint J. Durrell as Vice Chair of the Board for 2014.
CARRIED
a)
Moment
of Silence
Chair El-Chantiry asked that everyone
stand and join him in a moment of silence for RCMP Constable David Wynn who was killed in the line
of duty on 9 January 2014.
b)
Welcome
to Councillors
Chair
El-Chantiry welcomed Members of Council who were in attendance at his
invitation to hear the presentation on Guns and Gangs.
c)
Welcome
to Mr. Paul Thompson, Police Services Advisor
Chair El-Chantiry welcomed Mr. P. Thompson, Police Services Advisor,
Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services, to the meeting. As an advisor to
this area of Ontario, Mr. Thompson performs a variety of duties and functions
including adequacy reviews and inspections of police services and police
services boards.
By
way of introduction, Chair El-Chantiry stated that everyone is concerned about
the recent events involving gang shootings in our neighbourhoods and we all
know that this is not just a police issue, but a community issue. He had
invited several of his City Council colleagues to hear the staff presentation
and acknowledged their presence.
Chief
Bordeleau explained that this is an important issue for the OPS and the community
and he appreciates all comments that have been received. He thanked Staff
Sergeant K. Bryden and his team, and the entire organization for coming together
in recent months. The presentation will show that the OPS is very active on
many levels, including enforcement, suppression and community engagement. The
presentation will further illustrate the importance of the partnerships the OPS
has with Crime Prevention Ottawa and Ottawa Community Housing and the many other
organizations that are actively working on the gang strategy.
The
Chief introduced Staff Sergeant K. Bryden, Guns and Gangs Unit, Ms. N.
Worsfold, Executive Director, Crime Prevention Ottawa (CPO), and Mr. G.
Arseneault, Ottawa Community Housing, who participated in the presentation. (A copy of the presentation
will be kept on file with the Board’s Executive Director.)
Following the presentation a
discussion ensued and numerous points of clarification were made:
·
Chair
El-Chantiry, Chief Bordeleau, Mayor Watson and S/S Bryden have met with Provincial
Minister Naqvi regarding this issue.
·
At the
Mayor’s direction, Deputy City Manager S. Kanellakos is working with the OPS to
ensure the Crime Prevention Ottawa Exit Strategy continues to move forward.
·
Ms.
Worsfold noted that CPO has been actively consulting with service partners to
design a suitable approach for exit services for adult gang individuals in
Ottawa. They are waiting for the City to identify funds within the budget, at which
time they will be prepared to enter into agreements and put an exit service in
place within a short period of time.
·
The
difficulty with these types of criminal investigations stems from lack of
information. Information received is typically collected by investigators at
the scene. There are witnesses and victims who, for different reasons, do not
want to speak with the police in these cases. The complexity of these
investigations makes it more difficult to put together an affidavit or search
warrant for signature by a judge. The best evidence possible must be put
forward to expect the best prosecution, and accomplishing this without
cooperation from different levels takes time.
·
Responding
to comments made by Vice Chair Durrell, S/S Bryden stated the judicial system does
support the police by signing affidavits and search warrants. The problem from
the investigative standpoint is getting to the point where they have a product
to give to a judge to sign.
·
The
commodity of firearms is unlike the drug commodity as it gets moved around
frequently. Due to how the commodity is treated in the criminal underworld, it
is very difficult to track down and hold someone accountable for possession and
offences associated with the weapon.
·
Responding
to questions posed by Councillor D. Deans regarding the word “transient” as used
in gang profiles, S/S Bryden explained that the word refers to individuals who are
in and out of the gang lifestyle due to reasons such as: incarceration, death,
their own volition, or attempting to thwart police detection.
·
Gangs
are not being moved or displaced by the police. There are a number of gangs
operating within the City. Due to the competitive differences between the
gangs, the incidents occurring across the city are not being committed by one
particular gang.
·
Chief
Bordeleau explained from a profile perspective, gang members range from teenagers
to young adults. Mainly adults have been involved in the recent shootings. The
one thing that bonds them is the criminal element: the drug trade, prostitution
and intimidation with firearms, which all result in a way to make quick cash.
·
Responding
to questions from Councillor Deans, Chief Bordeleau explained the OPS has the
ability to reallocate resources based on high priority needs. Resources from
across the Service that have the right skills and ability to deal with the
specific types of investigation are used where needed. It is important to note
that it isn’t just the officers who are reallocated to support the Guns and
Gangs Unit, they have also increased the focus and efforts of patrol, neighbourhood,
school and community police centre officers to ensure they are reaching out to
community members. It is a collaborative approach across the Service focusing
on an issue that has been deemed a priority. A dollar value cannot be put on
this reallocation of resources, however, the Executive Command is very
cognizant of workloads across the Service and areas are closely monitored so
that no single area is adversely impacted by a reallocation of resources.
·
Responding
to a question from Councillor M. Taylor regarding firearms and where they are
coming from, Chief Bordeleau said there is much cooperation between agencies
around the illegal importation and distribution of firearms. In Ottawa, one
officer works with the Provincial Weapons Enforcement Unit that is led by the
OPP and involves a multitude of agencies from Ontario that deal with the
trafficking of firearms. The OPS also works very closely with the RCMP and
CBSA (Canada Border Services Agency).
·
At
Councillor Taylor’s request, Chief Bordeleau explained that the Service’s main
responsibility is in enforcement and suppression, however, they also have a
role to play in prevention, intervention and education. Officers are continually
building relationships in the community and schools while identifying
individuals that require support from partner agencies who are better equipped
to intervene. It is critical that partnerships exist with other agencies that
have the responsibility to manage and deal with the long term impact.
·
Expanding
on the Chief’s response, Ms. Worsfold noted that the Ottawa strategy focuses on
four different spheres of intervention: the healthy neighbourhood, prevention
before a young person gets involved in gang activity, intervention for someone
that is involved, and enforcement and suppression. The Siblings Project is
important as the individuals most acutely at risk of becoming involved are the
younger siblings of current gang members. The police are working very closely
with community services to assist with identifying gang members who have
siblings at risk.
·
Crime
Prevention Ottawa has made progress in all spheres except the exit services for
adult gang members. The biggest gap involves engaging young men and women in
the difficult transition away from the gang lifestyle into a law abiding one.
For those charged under the Youth Criminal Justice Act there are better
services available and they do an excellent job with developing services.
Chief Bordeleau added that for a long term effect, early intervention and
prevention is definitely where the investment should be made.
·
Responding
to Councillor J. Cloutier’s question regarding the migration of gang members
from one area of the City to another, S/S Bryden did not believe this was happening.
Individuals involved in this lifestyle are very opportunistic. They will take
every opportunity to carry out their business wherever it needs to be done;
there doesn’t appear to be any gang migration as a result of police attention.
On behalf of the Board, Chair
El-Chantiry thanked S/S Bryden and everyone involved with this issue.
That the Ottawa Police Services Board receive this presentation for
information.
RECEIVED
PUBLIC
DELEGATIONS
a.
Mr. G. Annable, Ad
Hoc Community Safety Committee for Ward 8
Mr.
G. Annable spoke to the Board regarding two specific initiatives that he
believes are reasonable, attainable and short term: Special Constable status
for Ottawa Community Housing (OCH) Security Responders; and using CCTV (Closed
Circuit Television) as a tool in trouble areas for better assessment,
intelligence, evidence and deterrence. He looks forward to having the community
included as a stakeholder. (A
copy of the presentation will be kept on file with the Board’s Executive
Director.)
Chair El-Chantiry thanked Mr. Annable
for his presentation and asked what the Ad Hoc Committee is. Mr. Annable explained
that the committee is the result of west end community members getting together
to come up with solutions to deal with this issue. They want to help by being
additional eyes and ears in the area for the police.
Chief Bordeleau wished to reassure
members of the Board and the community that the OPS works very closely with OCH;
the Chief meets regularly with Mr. S. Giguère, CEO, and Deputy Chief E. Keeley has
regular meetings at the Community Safety Table. Police officers work very
closely with OCH Safety Officers who do a great job and share information
within the confines of legislative requirements. He is very proud of the partnership
and the work that is being done. OCH is currently conducting a six-month pilot
with CCTV after which they will assess whether or not there is value and if
they will expand them to other properties.
b.
Reverend T.
Orchard, Britannia Baptist Church
Reverend T. Orchard believes that the gang
exit and other strategies are often far from the root of the problem and the
problem continues to grow. These strategies do not address the deeper issues
of poverty such as: food, security, lack of positive male role models, the
social stigma imposed upon project people in job discrimination or bullying in
schools, inflexible social service policies, children deeply traumatized by
gang or other violence, a deep fear that causes single moms to become reclusive
or move out of the projects on their own, and community mistrust of the police
or other officials. He knows this is the case in the Penny Drive and Ritchie
Street areas. Hundreds of children live in these areas.
Even if police are able to arrest or
entice all gang members to leave, while still ignoring the root problem nothing
will have changed. This is a social blight affecting all of Ottawa, not just
one neighbourhood. In closing, the Reverend said this is not a new problem,
but with the move to the greater use of guns, it is a problem that needs to be
dealt with in the right way now or we will reap far greater damage as a society
in the future.
Chair El-Chantiry thanked Reverend Orchard
for his presentation.
At
6:05 p.m. the Chair requested that the Board temporarily adjourn. The meeting reconvened
at 6:15 p.m.
ITEMS OF BUSINESS
1.
CHIEF’S VERBAL REPORT
Chief Bordeleau reported on the following items (a
copy of the Chief’s verbal report will be kept on file with the Board’s
Executive Director and is available online at ottawapoliceboard.ca):
·
Chimo
Hotel
·
Neighbourhood
Officers and Street Crime Unit
·
Arrest
on Attempted Murder Charges
·
Gun and
drugs seized
·
CBSA
Immigration Warrant Execution
·
TD Bank
Robbery
·
Black
History Month
·
Special
Olympics 2015 Provincial Floor Hockey Tournament: Polar Plunge.
That
the Ottawa Police Services Board receive this report for information.
RECEIVED
2.
POLICE SERVICES
BOARD ACTIVITY, TRAINING AND PERFORMANCE – 2014 ANNUAL REPORT
Executive Director’s Report
Chair
El-Chantiry informed Board members that the Ministry of Community Safety and
Correctional Services will be offering police board training at the Brockville
Police Service on February 17th, at 10:00 am to 12 noon. He asked
that any Board member interested in attending this training session contact the
Board’s Executive Director.
That the Ottawa Police Services Board:
1.
Receive
this report for information.
RECEIVED
2.
Direct
the Executive Director to forward it to City Council for information.
CARRIED
3.
OTTAWA POLICE
SERVICES BOARD WORK PLAN - 2015
Policy and Governance
Committee’s report
That the Ottawa Police Services Board
approve the 2015 Board Work Plan.
RECEIVED
4.
CANADIAN
ASSOCIATION OF POLICE GOVERNANCE: 2015 MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL
Executive Director’s report
That the Ottawa Police Services Board
approve payment of $5,520 to the Canadian Association of Police Governance for
its 2015 membership fee.
CARRIED
5.
ONTARIO
ASSOCIATION OF POLICE SERVICES BOARDS: 2015 MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL
Executive Director’s report
That
the Ottawa Police Services Board
approve payment
of $5,830.80, (including HST) to the Ontario Association of Police Services
Boards for its 2015 membership fee.
CARRIED
6.
BOARD CALENDAR OF
MONITORING REQUIREMENTS 2015
Executive Director’s report
That
the Ottawa Police Services Board receive the 2015 Calendar of Monitoring
Requirements for information.
RECEIVED
7.
SECONDARY
ACTIVITIES : 2014 ANNUAL REPORT
That
the Ottawa Police Services Board receive this report for information.
RECEIVED
8.
2013 – 2015
BUSINESS PLAN: SEMI-ANNUAL STATUS REPORT (JULY TO DECEMBER 2014)
That
the Ottawa Police Services Board receive this report for information.
RECEIVED
9.
PUBLIC
REWARDS: 2014 ANNUAL REPORT
That
the Ottawa Police Services Board receive this report for information.
RECEIVED
10. LEGAL SERVICES STATUS REPORT – 2014
FOURTH QUARTER
That
the Ottawa Police Services Board receive this report for information.
RECEIVED
11. REPORT ON SPECIAL
INVESTIGATIONS UNIT INVESTIGATION
That
the Ottawa Police Services Board receive this report for information.
RECEIVED
12. OUTSTANDING BOARD INQUIRIES &
MOTIONS: JANUARY 2015
Executive Director’s report
That
the Ottawa Police Services Board receive this report for information.
RECEIVED
13. LETTERS OF COMMENDATION
That
the Ottawa Police Services Board receive this report for information.
RECEIVED
COMMUNICATIONS
a)
EXTENDING
PROVINCIAL APPOINTMENTS UNTIL REPLACED
-
Letter dated 30
July 2014 from President K. East, OAPSB and letter dated 16 September 2014 from
Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services Y. Naqvi
That
the Ottawa Police Services Board receive these communications for information.
RECEIVED
OTHER
BUSINESS
14. FEDERAL FUNDING
Moved by J. Durrell
WHEREAS it has been
recognized in previous agreements between the City of Ottawa and the Federal
Government that costs incurred by the Ottawa Police Service for policing
responsibilities unique to the Nation’s Capital should be reimbursed by the
Federal Government; AND
WHEREAS staff has
identified that, in 2014, City of Ottawa taxpayers paid $2 million for policing
costs associated with federal events and activities in the City of Ottawa;
THEREFORE BE IT
RESOLVED that the Ottawa Police Services Board direct the Board Chair to prepare
a business case and a letter for consideration at the February Board meeting,
requesting that the Federal Government continue to provide annual funding to
reimburse municipal policing costs associated with federal government
activities and events.
AND BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the Board Chair invite the Mayor of Ottawa to co-sign the letter.
CARRIED
CONSIDERATION OF MOTION TO MOVE IN
CAMERA
Moved by S.
Smallwood
That the Ottawa Police
Services Board adjourn the public portion of its meeting to move In Camera to
discuss confidential items pertaining to legal and personnel matters, in
accordance with Section 35(4)(b) of the Police Services Act.
CARRIED
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m.
(original signed by) (original
signed by)
____________________________ _____________________________
W. Fedec E.
El-Chantiry
Executive Director Chair