Transit Safety & Enforcement Services Overview Transit Commission February 19, 2014
Our Values To adhere to the principles of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms To provide fair, unbiased and professional service to the community we serve To treat all victims of crime with compassion & understanding To be approachable, courteous, and open at all times To acknowledge and respect the diversity of cultures which form the City of Ottawa To maintain the highest ethical and professional standards 2
A number of techniques are utilized to create a safe transit system: Vehicle Patrol Special Constables are divided into zones Uniformed and plainclothes Special Constables patrol 24/7 Surveillance Cameras Proactive CCTV surveillance by Officers 24/7 Blitzes Coordinated blitzes with OPS Walk & Ride Highly visible uniformed Special Constables on foot riding buses, trains and patrolling stations Patrolling Transit 3
SPECIAL CONSTABLES Transit Enforcement Provide a valuable service to the City of Ottawa by helping protect OC Transpo's customers, employees, and property Have the power of a police officer on or in relation to transit related properties and assets Have the authority to enforce the Criminal Code of Canada, the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, Liquor Licence Act, Safe Streets Act, and the Transit By-Law Work in partnership with other City of Ottawa Departments, public safety agencies and community service groups Provide a prompt and professional service and educate the public about transit safety and enforcement practice 4
Role of a Transit Special Constable Patrol Transitway Stations, the Transitway, bus only roadways and the O-Train Mobile and foot patrols Proactive and reactive response Enforce Provincial, Municipal and Federal legislations Inspect and enforce fare Enforce parking and By-Law infractions Educate employees and the public 5
Jurisdiction Geographic jurisdiction of Special Constables authority: The properties of OC Transpo; All facilities leased or rented or affiliated with OC Transpo; and The City of Ottawa if the incident occurs on or in relation to Transit Services. 6
Investigations In January 2013, two positions were established on each platoon to conduct investigations: Special Constables address Compliment and Complaint Register ledgers, crime hotspots, report follow ups, and liaise with OPS Special Constables have created a strong relationship with the OPS Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Unit. 7
Our Service in Action Lifesaving Work S/Cst Blake Virgin was patrolling the Transitway during the early morning hours when he witnessed a female on the ground being attacked by a male. Without knowing the male had a knife, S/Cst Virgin arrested the male. Afterwards it was determined the male had was attempting to sexual assault the victim. Suicide Intervention Late October a motorist flagged down Special Constables driving on St. Laurent Boulevard. A suicidal female was straddling a railing overtop of the Via railroad tracks. Special Constables negotiated the female away from danger until the arrival of OPS. Outstanding Call Early November, Special Constables received a call for a noxious substance on a bus believed to be pepper spray. Special Constables arrested the suspects shortly after on Mackenzie Bridge. Employee Assistance Mid summer, an OC Transpo bus operator exited the Tim Hortons on Rideau Street. He was approached by a group of youth and then punched in the face. Special Constables arrested the suspects two hours later in the west end of the City. 8
Drug Disposal Agreement with OPS to streamline the procedure for dealing with confiscated or found controlled substances OPS provided a drug disposal safe to Transit Safety and Enforcement Services which is secured in the evidence room Use of Force Training Administered by OPS Use of Force section All 48 Special Constables attended Algonquin College and were qualified Annual Use of Force Training included OC Spray, defensive tactics, hand to hand combat drills, and judgment training This year, Special Constables were equipped and trained with TRD leg restraints and spit shields 9
Fundraising and Events 2013 Help Santa Toy Parade Food Bank Collection Competition Law Enforcement Torch Run Transit Safety and Enforcement has been involved for 25 years In 2013, the team raised $1,150 for Special Olympians 10
CapitalPride Capital Pride Parade was on August 25 th, 2013. S/Cst Aksana Jones represented Special Constables in a rainbow decorated patrol vehicle. Superintendent James McIntyre represents OC Transpo on the Ottawa Police Service GLBT Liaison Committee which meets once a month. 11
School Liaison Program Nine Special Constables make up the School Liaison Program Officers provide services related to Transit Safety and Enforcement Services, inside and outside the school 12
Canadian Police & Peace Officer Memorial An Honour Guard was established to represent the department with pride. The Transit Safety and Enforcement Services hosted 25 Go Transit Special Constables at this year s Canadian Police and Peace Officer Memorial. Special Constables marched in the police funeral for Kativik Police Officer Steve Dery. 13
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Transit Law Communication Centre 15
Communication Centre The Transit Law Communication Centre is the hub of the Transit Safety and Enforcement Services. Equipped with CPIC Level 2(a) and Ottawa Police in-house access. Officers are divided into three roles which include a Dispatcher, Call Taker, and CCTV Operator. 16
Communication Centre Emergency Phones Yellow boxes Bell pay phones at stations and Park and Rides Camera feeds Alarms Duress alarms on buses Elevator alarms Building automation alarms Ottawa Police Services relays calls received from Transit riders 17
Transit Fare Enforcement Officers Continue to preserve the integrity of the fare system Monitor proof of payment (POP) routes for fare compliance through identified high traffic areas New and updated training, i.e., customer service, PRESTO, etc. 18
Safety Management Unit 2013 Exercises Transit Safety and Enforcement Services participated in a number of valuable exercises this year: Incident Management Training 51 members of Transit Safety and Enforcement Services have IMS100 Suspicious Package Tabletop Cyber Attack Tabletop with Public Safety Flood Tabletop with Public Safety Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Field Exercise with the RCMP Dow s Lake Tunnel Exercise with Ottawa Fire Service 19
Secondments to the Ottawa Police Services 1 I Crime & Disorder Foot Patrol Project GoalsI Concentration on ByWard Market area, Rideau Street, and Transit hubs. Joint Project with the Ottawa Police. CostI A month long project. One Special Constable seconded. Results I Increased visibility of uniform officers in Transit hubs. 2 I Lower Town Foot Patrol Project GoalsI Concentration on ByWard Market area, Rideau Street, and Transit hubs. Joint Project with the Ottawa Police. CostI A three month long project. 3 Special Constables seconded. One month each. Results I Increased visibility of uniform officers in Transit hubs. 3 I Ottawa Police DART Team Project GoalsI Address gang related issues. CostI Two week project organized by Guns and Gangs. One Special Constable seconded to the OPS. ResultsI Suppression of gang activity. 20
Systems Security Install, maintain and service over 400 CCTV cameras and equipment Maintain video requests and Video Management Software Administer and maintain over 100 channels of the Transit Voice Recording System for Radio and Telephones Administer all access control for Transit Services and liaise with Corporate Security Maintain Emergency Phone System and Transit Law Radios Assist with CPTED audits 21
Questions? 22