Ottawa police lay out plan to snuff out sexual violence and harassment in the ranks

A five-year plan to better address sexual harassment and violence within the Ottawa Police Service, which includes a major overhaul of the complaints system, will be laid out before the police services board, later today.

The police chief submitted the plan ahead of the board's January 24 meeting, which details steps both short-term and long-term.

One of the largest parts of the plan includes setting up a new Independent Office of Workplace Investigations, to handle complaints of sexual harassment and violence within the police service.

An independent investigator hired by the police in December 2020 found that many members were unwilling to file complaints under the existing system, for fear of retaliation, or that their complaint would not be handled fairly, or both.

“Indeed, OPS members have described facing various forms of reprisal in response to filing complaints, such as being put through intense scrutiny, intimidation by senior officers, not being supported on the road or considered for promotional opportunities, and being alienated and excluded from their team,” the police chief's report to the police services board stated, in part.

The new Independent Office of Workplace Investigations will be staffed by two lawyers, who have expertise in employment and labour law as well as human rights.

Other measures include hiring an in-house psychologist and rolling out other new mental health supports for police employees.

The police will also establish a new Code of Conduct.

The plan to address the shortcomings in the Ottawa Police Service's handling of workplace sexual harassment and violence is projected to cost just over $2.2 million in its first year, and just over $8.2 million in total over five years.