OPS Commemorate Black History Month

February 1st, 2012

Join the Ottawa Police Service to commemorate Black History Month. The OPS will host a banner unveiling in honour of this event.

Where?
Police Headquarters at 474 Elgin Street, main lobby.

When?
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 4:00 p.m.

Light refreshments will be provided. Media and general public invited.

Teens & Technology: Public Presentation for Parents on

January 31st, 2012

Teens & Technology: a presentation for parents about sexting, cyberbullying, safety, and mental health.

When?
Wednesday February 15, 2012 from 7pm – 9pm

Where?
Adult High School, 300 Rochester St., Ottawa

No admission fee.  Free parking.  Bus route #14. Registration not required.

Ottawa Police Participate in the Human Library

January 30th, 2012

Launched in Denmark in 2000, the Human Library was a way to focus on anti-violence, encourage dialogue and build relations. It has grown in popularity with 27 countries taking part in 2008, including Brazil, China, Columbia, Cyprus, Malaysia and South Africa.

The Ottawa Public Library held this event at several branches on Saturday, January 28, from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., in partnership with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation Ottawa (CBC Ottawa) and the Canadian War Museum (CWM).

Here are details on the event and the participants that took part.

From the OPS, Constable Marc Soucy participated at the Cumberland branch.

Constable Soucy began his policing career serving summonses and catching dogs as a cadet with the Gloucester Police. He went on to work as a detective in the Child Abuse Section, and then a Resource Officer in high schools. These days he works for Ottawa Police Service and responds to calls from the media.

And Sergeant Kal Ghadban participated at the Stittsville branch.

It was a brief brush with the law at the age of 10 that inspired Staff  Sergeant Kal Ghadban to join the police. Over the years he’s worked on patrol, as a homicide detective, and now as the Staff Sergeant of the Street Crime Unit / Break & Enter Team.

What is Sexting?

January 30th, 2012

Sexting is the sending or receiving of explicit messages, nude or semi nude photographs or videos electronically, primarily between mobile phones.

Sexting is an issue that should be of concern to any parents who have children using mobile devices and the Internet.

Adults need to understand that this issue affects students that come from good families, have good grades, are athletes and excel in many areas of their lives.

• 48% of teens have received sexually suggestive messages
• 39% of teens say they have sent or posted sexually suggestive messages
• 36% of teen girls and 39% of teen boys are sending sexually explicit messages and images, even though they know such content often gets shared with those other than the intended recipient.
• 20% of teens say they have sent/posted nude or semi-nude pictures or videos of themselves (1 in 5 teens)
• It can be ANY teenager!

Consequences

The consequences are real: pictures and videos can be easily and quickly shared with others.  Once the message is in cyberspace the sender loses control over the material and cannot assume it will remain private.

There can be criminal consequences for those who send, receive or have these photos in their possession, including parents who may not know what is stored on their electronic device.

• Sexting can lead to cyberbullying and a range of mental health issues including depression and suicide.
• Cyberbullying includes sending texts or emails that are hurtful or cause mental and perhaps physical harm.More information about other High Tech Crimes.

Resources

If you or someone you know needs support, use the following resources:

• Child, Youth and Family Crisis Line for Eastern Ontario (24/7)
613-260-2360 or 1-877-377-7775

• Distress Centre of Ottawa (24/7)
613-238-3311

• Kids Help Phone (24/7)
1-800-668-6868

Upcoming Information Session

The Ottawa Police Service will be hosting a free information session on Teens and Texting in early Feburary…information to follow.

Panel Discussion – Youth and the Police: Knowing Your Rights and Responsibilities

January 23rd, 2012

Dr.Qais Ghanem, host of Dialogue With Diversity on CHIN Radio Ottawa will be hosting a panel discussion on Youth and the Police: Knowing Your Rights and Responsibilities. Panellists representing youth, community, and police (Cst. Khoa Hoang) will discuss these questions from various perspectives.

Date: Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Time: 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM
Location: Room 113/114, Catholic Centre for Immigrants, 219 Argyle Avenue, Ottawa