This section of the Ottawa Police Service was established in 1995 and is staffed by two police officers and an outreach worker. It exists to ensure that the police respond effectively, appropriately, and sensitively to all members of the community, particularly those who have traditionally been marginalized by society.
It works to strengthen communication between police and Indigenous, racialized, faith based and GLBT communities through various initiatives including a new Community Equity Council, which will launch in the Fall of 2018, and with monthly GLBT Liaison Committee meetings.
Read our 2017 Year-End Report |
Responsibilities
There are four main areas of responsibility for this section. They are:
- To strengthen communication between police and Indigenous peoples, racialized individuals, and newcomers;
- To share expertise with police service personnel and to develop greater understanding of the role of the police in a diverse society;
- To develop appropriate responses to issues arising within racialized communities; and
- To understand and defuse causes of tensions between the police and racial, cultural or ethnic minority groups.
The Ottawa Police Service believes in being a diverse and non-discriminatory police service
Building partnerships with our community is an important part of community policing. It is a successful way to establish clearer communication and trust between the police and Ottawa's increasingly diverse community. By mobilizing community resources and working together, community-police partnerships can play an active role in problem-solving and crime prevention.
Human Rights Learning Forum
The Ottawa Police Service, in partnership with the US State department, are pleased to announce the date for our 4th annual Human Rights Learning forum in recognition of Human Rights Day.
The inaugural 2015 Learning Forum was the first event of its kind in Ontario focusing on Intersectionality. Each subsequent year, the Forum has built upon the foundation of the previous year and featured relevant topics affecting the community and its relationship with their police service. The theory and Science of Implicit Bias were explored in 2016 and, in a nod to Canada’s 150 and the Truth and Reconciliation report, 2017 focused on Facilitating Reconciliation by understanding the history of our Indigenous People.
On December 6, 2018 we will discuss the topic of Hate in the Community: Recognize the signs and mitigate the impact.
In order to understand the global impact of hate, our speakers list will have international and local perspectives to guide participants in:
- Broadening their understanding of the impact of hate/bias on the community
- Identifying the progressive indicators towards radicalization; and
- Developing recommendations to mitigate the effects of hate/bias
Click on this link to sign up for the OPS HRLF 2018 registration
You can review the final report from previous Human Rights Learning Forums, by emailing the Diversity and Race Relations Section.
Diversity Celebration
The Diversity Celebration is an annual event that is hosted to coincide with Multiculturalism day in June, which is celebrated nationwide.
However, in the summer of 2017, the Ottawa Police Service underwent a major exterior renovation resulting in the postponement of the event. Having recognized this event as a significant and beneficial opportunity to interact with the diverse community we serve, the Diversity Celebration has been moved to Wednesday September 20th, 2017 to coincide with the United Nations International Day of Peace (September 21st).
This is an opportunity for Ottawa to celebrate the diversity in our city and the richness of cultures that make up Canada's mosaic. The inaugural event was in 2015 and has been gaining in popularity each year.
New this year, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada will welcome 20 individuals from around the world to their new home as Canadian citizens.
There is food, entertainment and an inclusive atmosphere that showcases the heritage and traditions of everyone -- from our Indigenous peoples to our most recent newcomers. It celebrates the inclusion of all people.
If you have questions, please email Cst. Lila Shibley at ShibleyL@ottawapolice.ca.
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