Community Safety and Well-Being

CSWB is keeping Ottawa safe — Together

The Ottawa Police Service understands that crime prevention is about proactive engagement as much as emergency response. Community Safety and Well-being is an integral part of our overall approach to safety and crime prevention. Our Community Safety and Well-being (CSWB) teams work every day alongside community organizations, healthcare providers, schools, and City partners to respond holistically to the root causes of crime, and help prevent harm before it happens.

Whether you need to report a crime, connect with your neighbourhood officer, or find support for an emerging community concern — the Ottawa Police Service is here to help.

What is CSWB?

Community safety is not achieved by policing alone. In Ottawa, it is the result of sustained collaboration between police, healthcare providers, housing services, schools, youth-serving organizations, and social services — each contributing to a community where everyone can thrive.

Community Safety and Well-being (CSWB) planning is a provincial requirement under Ontario's Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019. It mandates that municipalities and their partners — including police — work together to proactively address the root causes of crime and social vulnerability, not just respond to isolated incidents.

The Ottawa Police Service is one contributing partner in this ecosystem. Our CSWB Directorate works alongside City of Ottawa departments, Indigenous organizations, mental health providers, school boards, and community groups to address priority areas identified in Ottawa's CSWB Plan (2026–2031).

CSWB focus areas

DRR (Diversity Resources and Relations)

The Ottawa Police Service Diversity Resources and Relations (DRR) unit builds and sustains relationships with Ottawa's diverse communities — fostering trust, understanding, and equity in how OPS serves all residents.

DRR supports four community portfolios: Race, Faith, 2SLGBTQQIA+, and Indigenous communities. Through dialogue, education, and partnership, DRR helps ensure OPS is accessible, responsive, and reflective of the city it serves.

SPE (Strategic Partnerships and Engagement)

The OPS unit responsible for managing and building partnerships with community organizations, businesses, and other agencies.

Mental Health Unit (MHU)

When someone is experiencing a mental health crisis, they need the right support — not just a police response. The Ottawa Police Service Mental Health Unit (MHU) is committed to delivering compassionate, effective, and coordinated responses to individuals in need.

Our officers are trained to recognize mental health crises and to connect individuals with the appropriate community supports. Where possible, we work alongside mental health clinicians so that people in crisis receive timely, trauma-informed care in the community.

The OPS pairs Crisis Intervention-trained officers with mental health clinicians in Mobile Crisis Response Teams (MCRTs). This model ensures people in crisis receive trauma-informed, community-based support and are connected to appropriate services.

Diversion Program (APCD)

The Adult Pre-charge Diversion program offers an alternative to criminal charges for eligible adults, connecting individuals with appropriate community supports and services to address underlying factors and reduce reoffending.

Crime prevention works best when communities and police work together. The OPS Crime Prevention Unit supports residents, businesses, and organizations with practical tools, education, and programs that reduce vulnerability and help stop crime before it starts.

Core programs include:

Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED): Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) is defined as a multi- disciplinary approach for reducing crime through urban and environmental design and the management and use of built environments.

Crime Free Multi-Housing (CFMH): The Crime Free Multi-Housing program is a crime prevention initiative designed to reduce illegal activity in rental housing communities.

Neighbourhood Watch Ottawa (NWO): One of Ottawa's longest-running and most successful prevention initiatives. Neighbourhood Watch encourages neighbours to look out for each other, share information, and work with police to prevent crime through community vigilance.

Agent Status: The Agent Status program is to provide OPS officers authority to enforce the TTPA proactively, without requiring a call for service or a complainant.

Project 529 Garage: Project 529 Garage is a cost-effective bike theft program that is community-based and uses technology to help combat bicycle thefts.

Auxiliary Program: Auxiliary members are volunteers in uniform who promote Crime Prevention programs and are utilized by different sections at OPS to assist with variety of programs. These trained volunteer officers support OPS at community events, assist with crime prevention outreach, and provide a visible, approachable police presence in neighbourhoods.

Shop Theft Protocol: The Crime Prevention Unit is the primary liaison between OPS and retail stores to deal with theft incidents. The Shop Theft Protocol provides a structured approach to reduce retail theft through partnerships with local businesses, including guidance on prevention, reporting, and response.

Safeguard Your Home: Practical tips, tools, and officer consultations to help residents secure their homes against break-ins and theft. Includes guidance on locks, lighting, alarms, and reporting suspicious activity.

Connect Protect: The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) is partnered with MedicAlert Foundation Canada. Their MedicAlert Connect Protect service aims to enhance the safety of the most vulnerable individuals in our community.

Operation Access: This program helps our officers and other first responders access apartments and multi-dwelling buildings in emergencies.Read more.

Mental Health Response: The Ottawa Police Service is committed to helping individuals experiencing mental health or substance use crises. We work with health professionals and community partners to ensure that the right support is provided based on safety, risk level, and individual needs.

Youth Resources: The Community Youth Unit is committed to working with youth, to provide resources, referrals to programs, and to help build safer schools and neighbourhoods.

Community Youth Engagement

Mission: To work in partnership with the community and service providers to address root causes and reduce youth victimization and criminality.

Young people between the ages of 12 and 24 make up roughly one quarter of Ottawa's population. They are a vital part of our city's future, and are among those most at risk of being affected by crime and violence, or of becoming involved in it.

The OPS Youth Strategy reflects our responsibility to reduce the risk factors that lead to crime and victimization, and to support young people as they navigate the journey from childhood to adulthood. Through this strategy, every OPS member — from frontline patrol to specialized units — plays a role in ensuring those interactions are informed, compassionate, and focused on the best possible outcome.

The strategy is grounded in the CSWB framework, prioritizing social development, prevention, and risk intervention before situations escalate. It is data-informed, shaped by best practices, and built on partnerships with families, schools, youth-serving agencies, and community organizations across Ottawa.

Community Intake and Relations Specialists

Community Intake and Relations Specialists (CIRS) are civilian members who work as active connectors between local residents and OPS resources. CIRS help to identify community concerns with a focus on prevention and social development, coordinating outreach, and helping residents navigate supports within the OPS and beyond.

CIRS are embedded within each District and are responsible for local events, community resources, and updates. They serve as the primary point of contact for residents seeking to connect with their neighbourhood police team.