The Foundation of our Work
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Following the December 2024 coroner’s inquest into the death of Mr. Abdi, which resulted in 57 recommendations, 28 specifically directed at the Ottawa Police Service (OPS), a significant recommendation was to establish a Mental Health Advisory Council (MHAC). While the Council is being formed in response to the inquest, it will also serve a broader and more forward-looking purpose. Working in close collaboration the OPS and MHAC will focus on shaping how the service engages with individuals experiencing mental health issues or crises. This partnership not only addresses the immediate recommendations but also presents a critical opportunity to drive meaningful, long-lasting improvements in the way responses to mental health incidents are integrated into policing practices.
The Community Equity Council (CEC) has offered their leadership to assist in the recruitment of this council to ensure fair and transparent representation from the community.
An Invitation to Ottawa Community Members
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Are you passionate about improving how the Ottawa Police Service (OPS) interacts with individuals experiencing mental health challenges?
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Do you belong to a racialized, marginalized, Indigenous or faith-based, or community that want to help shape more equitable, compassionate policing practices?
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Do you have experience offering constructive feedback to organizations working toward a more trauma-informed, culturally responsive practices?
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Has your community had direct experience with the Ottawa Police Service in situations involving mental health, and are you ready to share insights that can lead to meaningful change?
The Mental Health Advisory Council is being formed to provide community-informed recommendations for the Ottawa Police Service, where council members will help guide OPS in:
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Developing a coordinated, cohesive, and OPS-wide mental health strategy.
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Improving outcomes when police interact with individuals in crisis.
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Prioritizing available resources to maximize support and improve response outcomes.
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Advising on data collection, research needs, and expert analysis related to mental health and policing in Ottawa.
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Reviewing and providing feedback on OPS policies and procedures, especially as they relate to calls for service involving individuals with mental health challenges.
Your voice and experiences are essential to building a safer, more responsive, and more just approach to mental health in Ottawa policing.
If your answer is yes to any of these then we would ask you to consider this opportunity.
MHAC is looking for:
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Individuals with lived experience
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Representatives from mental health organizations (clinical, peer-led, or community-based)
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Members from the Ottawa Police Service, including leadership (OPS)
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Community leaders from intersectional communities
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Youth or emerging leaders (aged 18–29)
Application Process:
All interested candidates are to provide the following:
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Submit a letter or e-mail of interest to: opscecinfo@gmail.com
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Provide a resume
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Go through an interview process with the Recruitment Committee
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Provide reference(s) including a community-based organization reference
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DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS is June 9, 2025,
questions can be directed to: change@ottawapolice.ca
Click on poster to obtain a copy
Notes:
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Successful candidates will be required to sign a confidentiality agreement.
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The MHAC will have OPS representation ensuring a direct bridge between community dialogue and system response. Members will be selected based on their openness to collaboration, learning, and a commitment to building trust in mental health crisis response.
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Links:
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