Ottawa Police to provide supportive programming to reduce minor criminal incidents
Posted Oct 5, 2022 02:00:00 PM.
The Ottawa Police Service is introducing a modernized and enhanced strategy that seeks to redirect those charged with minor offences away from the criminal justice system.
According to an Oct. 4 release, the Adult Pre-Charge Diversion Program (APCD) is part of the OPS’ commitment to supporting individuals who would be better served by a social service or public health program.
The OPS hopes the program will reduce or eliminate the occurrence of minor criminal incidents by providing such supports.
“We know that some people get caught up in the justice system for minor incidents and could be better served by services which address the root cause of their offence,” said superintendent Ken Bryden. “Sometimes connecting people with the right social service provider or city partner can help to resolve some of the circumstances which led them to commit the minor offence in the first place.”
On Oct. 3, all OPS officers started the mandatory training on the APCD program in an effort to understand how diversion can be applied and offered in lieu of charges that are often withdrawn or post-charged by the Crown.
The release states that if an offence is deemed eligible for diversion programming, and the accused qualifies and accepts responsibility for their actions, steps will be taken to hold them accountable through other methods, including substance abuse counseling/withdrawal programs, mental health counseling/treatment programs, anger management programs, along with the ability to make reparations to the victim or community via restitution, sanctions, or community service hours.
Offences can include anything from causing a disturbance to mischief complaints to minor incidents of fraud or theft.
“This is important work that will ultimately pay off in community health and well-being,” said interim chief Steve Bell. “It’s an opportunity for us to engage the expertise of our social service partners and city partners and develop a whole-of-community response to issues of social disorder.”
