Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan available for public comment

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, January 27, 2020   5:05pm

(Ottawa) – The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) is pleased to release its Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Action Plan – complete with ten priority action items for 2020.

 “At our fifth Annual Human Rights Learning Forum last month, I made a commitment to community and police members that we would continue our leadership and partnership work on EDI and release a strategic action plan in January 2020,” said Chief Peter Sloly.  “It will be the foundation for the next few years to build on the great work that has already been done; and put us at the forefront of professional and equitable policing.”

The plan, and this year’s priorities, was built on many different sources including the recently released reports and significant inputs from both police and community members who contributed to the many meetings, interviews, forums and surveys over the last two years.  We also worked closely with the Community Equity Council (CEC) and its working groups to design the plan and set priorities.

“My Executive Command and the Leadership Team are firmly committed to incorporating this into our Service.  It’s about creating a police service that our community and our members deserve,” said Chief Sloly.

Priority action items for 2020 include:

1. Create EDI Office to enhance EDI efforts and coordination across OPS.
2. Provide EDI Coaching and Mentoring to equip our leaders with culture change and EDI tools.
3. Develop EDI Lens Toolkit to improve our decision-making and internal and external systems – including updates to the transfer, promotions, and developmental rotation processes.
4. Reintroduce Hate Crime Section to improve response and support to impacted communities.
5. Update Outreach Recruitment and Background Check Processes to remove unintended barriers and increase competitive applications.
6. Develop New Training Plans for human rights, anti-racism, indigenous awareness, and mental health to address gaps and provide intercultural learning opportunities.
7. Enhance Member Wellness supports and inclusion efforts - accommodations, early intervention, and formalizing Employee Resource Groups (ERGs).
8. Improve Complaint Resolution Process for members and supervisors.
9. Enhance Community Policing including expansion of Neighbourhood Resource Teams.
10. Continue Anti-Racial Profiling efforts on addressing over and under policing concerns using a multi-stakeholder approach to policy, procedures, and accountability measures.

 The plan is being presented this afternoon to the Ottawa Police Services Board (OPSB), and it will be tabled for approval at the February regular meeting.  It is available online at ottawapolice.ca/EDI.

“We welcome any feedback from residents about this plan,” said Chief Sloly.  “Together we will make more meaningful and measurable progress on EDI by focusing on culture change, removing barriers, and improving our systems.”

You can submit any comments about the plan to EDI@ottawapolice.ca, prior to February 14, 2020.

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CONTACT:

Inspector Paul Burnett

Tel: 613-236-1222, ext. 2670