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Serving Ottawa > Sections & Units > Professional Standards Section > Complaint > Complaints Involving Damage or Loss of Property Due to Police Actions

Complaints Involving Damage or Loss of Property Due to Police Actions

The Ottawa Police Service’s Professional Standards Section and the City of Ottawa’s Claims Unit respond to, and investigate all claims made against the Ottawa Police Service from persons who believe the Service is responsible, due to police actions, for the loss or damage of their property.

If you feel that the Ottawa Police Service has incurred damage to your property as a result of police actions, you may submit a claim through the City of Ottawa’s Claims Unit or the Ottawa Police Service’s Professional Standards Section as follows:

In order to submit a Property Damage Claim, a letter must be written, containing the following information:

  • date of claim or notification;
  • name, address and telephone number of the person making the claim;
  • date, approximate time, location and police report number (if known) of the incident giving rise to the claim;
  • apparent cause of the loss or damage incurred (to the extent it is known); and
  • nature of damage incurred (i.e. personal injury, property damage, loss or property, expenses incurred etc.).
  • a receipt or invoice for damage incurred

Submit claims to the Ottawa Police Service Professional Standards Section:

Mail:
Ottawa Police Service
Professional Standards Section, Damage Claims
P.O. Box 9634, Station T
Ottawa, ON
K1G 6H5
Email: info@ottawapolice.ca
Fax: (613) 760-8127

The Ottawa Police Service will ensure that the claims are acknowledged, investigated, tracked, evaluated and resolved. If you have any questions regarding the Property Damage Claims process, please read our Frequently Asked Questions or contact the Professional Standards Section at:

19 Fairmont Ave.
Ottawa, ON
Tel: (613) 236-1222 x 5830
Email: info@ottawapolice.ca

Frequently Asked Questions about Property Damage Claims

Q1: What is a Property Damage Claim?
A1: A property damage claim is a process that takes place when a member of the public has had damage incurred to their property as a result of police actions, for example, a door was broken down, a car was towed, or a personal belonging went missing during a search. Both the Ottawa Police Service’s Professional Standards Section and the City of Ottawa’s Claims Unit accept damage claim submissions.


Q2: Why are damage claims handled by the Professional Standards Section?
A2: The Police Services Act establishes a partnership between the Ottawa Police Service, the Police Services Board, members of the public and Ontario Civilian Commission on Police Services. The Professional Standards Section investigates and facilitates the resolution of complaints and claims in an impartial and professional manner.

The Ottawa police Service believes that all people have the right to be treated in a courteous and professional manner and Professional Standards Section ensures that investigations are conducted with fairness and impartiality as well as being completed in a timely fashion with thoroughness and consistency.


Q3: Why do I need to submit a claim?
A3: If damage has been incurred to your property due to police actions, you may choose to submit a claim for possible reimbursement.


Q4: Should I submit my claim to the Ottawa Police Service or the City of Ottawa? What’s the difference?
A4: There is no difference whether you submit your claim through the Ottawa Police Service or the City of Ottawa. Both will ensure that the claims are acknowledged, investigated, tracked, evaluated and resolved.


Q5: What happens when I submit a claim?
A5: When a letter is sent to the Professional Standards Section or the City of Ottawa’s Claims Unit as a claim for property damage from police actions, an investigation begins. The results of the investigation will be forwarded to the City of Ottawa Legal Department, where a determination will be made regarding liability and payment. The City of Ottawa Claims Unit will notify the parties involved of the decisions on payment.


Q6: If I submit a claim, do I automatically receive a reimbursement or payment?
A6: No, each case is investigated individually to determine liability and, if merited, a reimbursement for damage incurred.


Q7: Who should I contact if I have a complaint about the Ottawa Police Service?
A7: The Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD) is an independent arms-length agency of the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General. The OIPRD provides an objective, impartial office to accept, process and oversee the investigation of public complaints against Ontario's police. Complaint forms are available at the OIPRD and on their website, all Service Ontario locations, all police stations and in many community centres and legal clinics.

For further information on the new process, you may contact the OIPRD using the following:

Website:  www.oiprd.on.ca

Toll-free phone:  1-877-411-4773
Local phone:  416-246-7071
TTY:  1-877-414-4773
Toll-free fax:  1-877-415-4773
Local fax:  416-327-8332