Ottawa police launching workplace violence and harassment project after report calls for 'urgent and immediate attention'
The Ottawa Police Service will spend $8.2 million over the next five years to address workplace harassment and violence within the ranks, after a new report called for "urgent and immediate attention" to solve workplace issues.
A report for Monday's Ottawa Police Services Board meeting outlines a multi-year "Safe Workplace Action Plan", outlining 18 recommendations following a review of the workplace culture at Ottawa Police headquarters by a third-party.
In September 2020, the Ottawa Police Service and the Ottawa Police Services Board retained Rubin Thomlinson to conduct an assessment of the workplace culture, practices, policies and procedures within the service, and act as an outside third-party for the intake and investigation of complaints.
As part of the assessment, Rubin Thomlinson conducted 116 interviews, which included both sworn and civilian members of the Ottawa Police Service.
The report says many interviewees stated they "very much enjoyed the nature of their positions" and some stated there had been an "overall improvement of the workplace culture and a shift towards inclusivity." However, Rubin Thomlinson said "those comments stood in stark contrast to what we heard from a large number of interviewees … which was troubling."
"Female interviewees described a state of affairs that included sexual harassment and violence, general mistreatment, unequal career opportunities, and hostility regarding pregnancy and parental leave," said the report from Rubin Thomlinson.
"Many racialized interviewees reported negative day-to-day experiences, exclusion from OPS culture and mentorship, difficulties in the promotions process and misconceptions regarding hiring decisions and equity, diversity, and inclusion."
The report noted members experiencing mental health challenges reported negative attitudes from colleagues and dissatisfaction with the lack of communication.
"Many interviewees described a workplace rife with gossip, cliques, and disrespectful behaviour."
The report from Rubin Thomlinson notes much of what interviewees described has gone "underground", and not reported to the OPS because there are "profound disincentives for members to come forward to complain."
"Assuming what we were told is true, the totality of what was described to us is in breach of the OPS's commitment to provide all its members a respectful workplace that is free from harassment and discrimination."
Rubin Thomlinson added, "What we heard should not come as a surprise to the OPS or the Board," noting the latest engagement survey in 2020 indicated "a significant number of members experienced harassment and discrimination in the workplace."
The recommendations from Rubin Thomlinson include:
- Create a new "Office of the Workplace Investigator"
- Establishing a new Code of Conduct for the Ottawa Police Service
- Introducing new mental health supports, including hiring a full-time psychologist
- Improved mandatory training to address respect at work, harassment and workplace violence, inclusion, diversity, equity and access
- Provide support for women returning from pregnancy and parental leave
- Ensuring promotions and career development opportunities are merit based
In a report for Monday's Ottawa Police Services Board meeting, staff say they fully accept and "is fully committed" to implementing all 18 of the recommendations.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the service noted the Rubin Thomlinson report identified "many unacceptable workplace issues" the service has been working to rectify, "including systemic misogyny, racism, discrimination, harassment and bullying."
“Since 2020, our entire organization has worked to overhaul OPS policies, procedures and practices to ensure we better support our members, in particular our female members, as we root out workplace sexual violence and harassment,” said Chief Peter Sloly in the statement.
“The Safe Workplace Action Plan is the next step in our ongoing efforts to prevent these harmful workplace incidents from occurring – to increase member confidence in reporting incidents – to provide improved supports to affected victims/survivors – and – to address all such incidents head on when they do happen.”
The Ottawa Police Service says its Joint Strategy to address Workplace Sexual Violence and Harassment outlines short, medium and long-term goals. The overall goals are:
- Foster an environment where OPS members can focus on their duties, be productive, contribute daily without the fear of harassment or reprisal
- Ensure the health and wellness of all OPS members
- Safeguard an environment where OPS members trust the service and feel supported
- Regain public trust and confidence in the service and its members
- Prioritize public safety
The report notes the objective of the strategy is to "eliminate workplace sexual violence and harassment" at the Ottawa Police Service, adding it will require a long-term commitment of five plus years.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
DEVELOPING Israel says Hamas deal is 'far' from meeting its demands as Rafah offensive looms
Israel said the terms of a ceasefire deal Hamas accepted on Monday remained 'far from' meeting its demands and warned its military operations in Rafah would continue, even as it sent negotiators to talk to mediators.
2024 Met Gala: Everything to know about fashion's annual soiree
Fashion's biggest night out — hosted at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York each year on the first Monday of May — is both a forever-evolving spectacle and a carefully crafted event.
Concern over speeding in Fredericton neighbourhood grows after 2 teens, young adult killed in crash
Three people – including two teens – are dead, and two others are injured after a crash that has left a greater Fredericton community shaken.