Ottawa Police Service

Service de police d’Ottawa

REPORT/RAPPORT

DATE:	April 16, 2002
TO:	Executive Director, Ottawa Police Services Board
FROM:	Chief of Police, Ottawa Police Service
SUBJECT:	AGENDA FOR EXCELLENCE FOR POLICING MAJOR EVENTS

RECOMMENDATION See the attached proposal document

That the Ottawa Police Services Board receive this report for information.

BACKGROUND

Since November 2001, the Police Services Board has received reports and delegations following the 16-18 November 2001 meetings of the G-20, World Bank and IMF.

From that time, members of the Ottawa Police Service have undertaken to review all aspects of the events that took place in November 2001. The Service reported to the Board in January 2002 and indicated the recommendations that flowed out of the Operational Review were being considered and addressed.The Service committed to public consultation in January and the proposed Agenda is a discussion paper that will serve as a basis for the consultation. The opinions of all those who have an interest in these matters will be sought.

The draft Agenda for Excellence is designed to stimulate discussion inside the Service and in the community about how we police major events in Ottawa.

DISCUSSION

The Ottawa Police Service is committed to ensuring that the made-in-Ottawa OPS approach to policing major events is built on the experience and commitment of our members and reflects the best practices from around the world.

The OPS is privileged to serve a community that is part of Canada’s national capital region. The presence of Canada’s Parliament and other important national institutions means that our city is often the focus of national and international attention. As a result, the OPS is often called upon to provide police services around major events involving decision-makers and citizens (from our community and beyond) hoping to make their voices heard.

Because of the various jurisdictions involved in policing these types of events as well as their scale, the OPS often participates in joint operations with other law enforcement agencies. The fact that the national capital region includes an inter-provincial boundary also contributes to this phenomenon, as do two separate economic trends: globalization and constraints on policing budgets.

The Ottawa Police Service’s approach to Major Events policing flows from the following key objectives:

to uphold the democratic rights of all individuals to freedom of opinion, expression, association and assembly as guaranteed under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms;
to strengthen community partnerships through communication, consultation, collaboration and transparency in planning and operations; and
to ensure the safety and security of our community and our members.

The OPS will optimize public safety, preserve the peace, enforce the law and provide quality service in partnership with the communities we serve while upholding the fundamental freedoms of peaceful demonstrators. We value the right of free expression in a lawful, peaceful and responsible manner and will maintain appropriate communication with the public on all safety and planning issues related to major events and demonstrations in Ottawa.

The Ottawa Police Service and the community we serve will face a number of challenges in dealing with Major Events in the future. These are in part a result of new widely held concerns for public and personal security.

As a dynamic, learning organization, the OPS is committed to meeting these challenges by advancing an Agenda for Excellence for Major Events Policing. The following key issues and considerations will serve as a starting point for seeking input both from within the OPS and from the Ottawa community, and for further discussion and dialogue.

The Agenda will help strengthen the partnership between the OPS and the community to face these challenges together.

A number of public events will be scheduled in advance of the next Major Event planned for Ottawa when G8 leaders meet in Canada in June. Public events surrounding the agenda include:

Ø Relevant announcements of Agenda for Excellence approaches that can be utilized in advance of the G8 meetings scheduled for late June.

Ø Three community meetings to discuss and receive comments on the Agenda for Excellence.

Ø G8 Communication Plan roll out of public announcements concerning G8 matters.

By developing an Agenda for Excellence, the Ottawa Police Service is striving to put in place best practices for major events that will serve all those affected in the most effective way.

PUBLIC CONSULTATION

The Agenda for Excellence is a draft for discussion in the community through a number of options such as public meetings, written submissions, or submissions to the Police Services Board. As well, there will be an internal consultation approach undertaken through training days and meetings with specialty sections affected.

Copies of the Agenda for Excellence will be produced and distributed widely in the community. It will be available on the Ottawa Police website at www.ottawapolice.ca.

FINANCIAL STATEMENT

Funds are available in the public consultation budget to finance this approach leading up to the next Major Event in Ottawa. Where possible, external funding will be secured based on appropriate circumstances arising from specific events.

CONCLUSION

The Agenda for Excellence is an important next step for the Ottawa Police. An Agenda for Excellence will move to open lines of communication between all participants and service providers at Major Events. The Agenda for Excellence positions the Ottawa Police to prepare for both short and long term scheduled major events in our city.

As well, an Agenda for Excellence will allow us to police future major events with an increased capacity for public and officer safety. Finally, the Agenda for Excellence will ensure that Ottawa Police Service policies and procedures are consistent with and reflect organization and community values.

Vince Bevan

Chief of Police

Attach. (1)