OTTAWA — The Ottawa Police Services Board has officially launched its police service’s direction for the next year.

“On June 24, the Ottawa Police Services Board approved the 2019-2020 Strategic Direction for the Ottawa Police Service (OPS),” the board released in a statement today. “This 18-month plan was developed thanks to the active participation and ongoing input received from residents, community partners and members of the OPS.”

The following four areas of focus emerged from community and OPS member consultation:
•       Advance Community Policing;
•       Make meaningful progress on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI);
•       Support our Members; and,
•       Modernize the work environment.

“The plan will help us to continue to deliver effective policing services to the community while still modernizing and finding efficiencies in how we provide those services,” said Police Services Board Chair Diane Deans.

Shifts in demographics, increasing population, types and severity of crime, the fiscal environment, our geographic mix and a wide variety of international pressures all combine to create complex challenges for policing.

“This strategic direction will help us prioritize and plan our proactive efforts to address community concerns,” added interim Chief Steve Bell. “We are grateful for the continued participation of the community and our members, and we look forward to continuing positive dialogue and reporting back to everyone on our efforts as we move forward.”

The 2019-2020 Strategic Direction is now available.