Ottawa Police to conduct audit on diversity and race issues
Posted Jan 23, 2017 07:14:38 PM.
Last Updated Jan 24, 2017 03:49:36 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
OTTAWA – The Ottawa Police Service will conduct an independent audit examining issues of race and equality within in its ranks.
Police Chief Charles Bordeleau revealed the plan while addressing a delegation from the Ottawa-Somali community at the Ottawa Police Services Board meeting on Monday.
Dahabo Ahmed Omer, with the group ‘Justice for Abdirahman Coalition’, asked Ottawa Police to issue a third party audit to help build trust between the Somali community and the force.
“By no means are we claiming that OPS is a racist organization,” said Ahmed Omer.
“We do however feel that there are elements of racism and those elements are manifested by the actions of some, and the inaction of others.”
Bordeleau said the police force is working very closely with members of the local Somali community to build their trust.
“Together we’re working on a work plan to insure we’re transparent and continue to deliver a service that is bias-neutral.”
Nearly six months ago, Somali-Canadian Abdirahman Abdi died during a confrontation with Ottawa police officers in Hintonburg. The circumstance surrounding his death are under investigation by Ontario’s Special Investigation Unit.
