One of the priorities of the police force's future strategic plan is the well-being and resilience of the troops. (Archive photo)
Radio-Canada
The Ottawa Police Services Commission presented a draft of the future strategic plan for the police force in the federal capital. One of the points that worries the Commission is the fatigue felt by members of the Ottawa Police Service (OPS) at the moment, particularly due to the increase in the number of crimes.
The draft strategic plan was presented to senior OPS officers on Friday during a special meeting. The final plan will be reviewed by the Police Services Board on November 27. She will decide that day whether she will adopt it or not.
The plan presents the four main objectives of the SPO for the next three years. Among these priorities, there is that of promoting equity, diversity and inclusion, in particular by building a bond of trust with different communities.
Another objective is to promote the development, well-being and resilience of the troops.
During the meeting, the head of the SPO, Eric Stubbs said crime statistics are trending in the wrong direction and protests, demonstrations and major events take center stage almost every day of the week in Ottawa.
He then went on to say that officers are under strain throughout the OPS and that he considers it necessary to hire 435 additional police officers over the next three years in the federal capital.
In an interview with Radio-Canada on Saturday, municipal councilor Marty Carr, who also sits on the Commission, stressed that Ottawa police officers are exhausted, in particular because they are called upon to be present not only during demonstrations but also during important visits, such as that of the Ukrainian president, or during major festivals.
The Ottawa Police Services Commission has launched a survey Friday to gather the public's opinions on the strategic directions of the OPS for the next three years.
Ottawa residents have until until October 16 to complete the survey, which can be found on the OPS website.
In order to develop the objectives of the strategic plan, The Ottawa Police Services Board organized focus groups, consulted scientific research and surveys, in addition to studying the content of various reports, including the Rouleau report.
With information from Camille Kasisi-Monet and Emmanuelle Poisson