The Ottawa Police Service Board is developing a diversity plan to comply with a 2019 provincial act requiring police boards to ensure police services reflect the diversity of the communities they serve.
At a board meeting April. 3, a report was shared to “inform the Human Resources Committee” of the requirement in accordance with Section 37(1)(e) of the Community Safety and Policing Act (CSPA).
The diversity plan would reinforce commitment to key policing principles, including representation, cultural sensitivity, collaboration with communities and respect for victims.
The plan would support the Ottawa Police Service Board‘s 2024-2027 Strategic Plan by advancing equity, diversity and inclusion goals, fostering a more inclusive workplace, and strengthening community trust. This may also overlap with the service’s existing Diversity, Respect, Inclusion, Values, Equity, and Engagement (DRIVE2) Strategy for 2023-2027, which aims to build a diverse and equitable internal culture by removing employment barriers.
The requirement also supports employer obligations under the Ontario Human Rights Code.
The report outlines three proposed options that other Ontario police boards have taken.
- Option one: “Endorse an existing equity, diversity, and inclusion strategy,” allowing the board to meet obligation by formally endorsing the existing DRIVE2 Strategy.
- Option two: Adopt a board-level diversity plan that builds on existing initiatives, which would have the board create its own diversity plan that complements existing EDI strategies.
- Option three: Adopt a high-level, principles-based diversity plan.
Deputy Chief Steve Bell, who is also the OPS Chief Administrative Officer, asked the board for clarification on who was doing what in this process.
“Is the expectation that the service will be doing it or the board will be doing it individually?”
Board member Peter Henschel said that the process will be clarified in a subsequent meeting.
The next meeting will take place on May. 6.
