Ottawa police will wait for 'Freedom Convoy' reviews before launching search for new chief
The Ottawa Police Services Board will wait for the completion of the independent reviews into the city and police response to the "Freedom Convoy" demonstration before launching the search for a new chief and deputy chief.
In the meantime, staff recommend proceeding with community consultation efforts, "maximizing the board's use of its time prior to the municipal election in the fall."
A report for Monday's Ottawa Police Services Board meeting outlines the recruitment process to hire a new chief and deputy chief, following the resignations of Chief Peter Sloly and Deputy Chief Uday Jaswal.
Sloly resigned as chief on Feb. 15 in the middle of the protest against COVID-19 vaccine mandates and other public health measures. Last month, Jaswal submitted his resignation, two years after he was suspended with pay. Jaswal was charged with discreditable conduct under the Police Services Act.
There have also been changes to the Ottawa Police Services Board, with all seven members either resigning or being removed from the board. Coun. Eli El-Chantiry, Jeff Leiper and Cathy Curry, along with council appointee Suzanne Valiquet have been appointed to the board so far.
Deputy Chief Steve Bell has been appointed interim chief, while two interim deputy chiefs have been appointed from the ranks of the Ottawa Police Service.
In a report for Monday's board meeting, staff recommend the Ottawa Police Services Board cancel the recruitment process for a third deputy chief that began in January, and focus its efforts on filling the two existing vacancies on the Executive Command Team.
"In the coming months, the Board and the Service will be responsible for responding to requests related to the independent reviews and evaluations of the response to the unlawful convoy protests," the report says.
"These reviews will seek to evaluate various aspects related to the response, including but not limited to, planning, coordination, communications, resources, enforcement, governance, and operations.
"In order to allow the Board to consider any relevant findings from the reviews in its recruitment and selection process, it is recommended that the recruitment for a new Chief of Police and Deputy Chief of Police begin following the completion of the reviews."
Staff recommend the board "make the best use of its time" in the seven months before the next municipal election by holding community consultation activities to support the recruitment of the new chief and deputy chief.
"This will help prepare the board for the official launch of the recruitment process," the report says.
Staff recommend Ottawa Police hire executive firm Odgers Berndtson to support the recruitment process, at a cost of $95,800.
The board will also vote Monday on a motion from new board chair El-Chantiry to ask the city's auditor general to lead the review of the Ottawa Police Service's overall response to the "Freedom Convoy" protest in downtown Ottawa, including looking at the incident command structure, the board's role in handling major events, operational approaches and readiness, and enforcement strategies.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Maple Leafs fall to Bruins in Game 3, trail series 2-1
Brad Marchand scored twice, including the winner in the third period, and added an assist as the Boston Bruins downed the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2 to take a 2-1 lead in their first-round playoff series Wednesday
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
New Indigenous loan guarantee program a 'really big deal,' Freeland says at Toronto conference
Canada's Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland was among the 1,700 delegates attending the two-day First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC) conference that concluded Tuesday in Toronto.
'Life was not fair to him': Daughter of N.B. man exonerated of murder remembers him as a kind soul
The daughter of a New Brunswick man recently exonerated from murder, is remembering her father as somebody who, despite a wrongful conviction, never became bitter or angry.