Ottawa Police Service Unveils $11.4 Million District Model Over Three Years

The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) has announced a new district model that will cost taxpayers approximately $11.4 million over the next three years. This initiative aims to enhance local policing by dividing Ottawa into four geographical districts: north, central, east, and west. Each district will be overseen by a superintendent responsible for neighbourhood policing and frontline operations, as detailed in a report from the Ottawa Police Services Board.

The new structure will introduce integrated neighbourhood teams, which will include community intake relationship specialists (CIRS) who will serve as trusted contacts within the community. These teams will also feature crime and research analysts, youth officers, and community officers. The objective is to work closely with residents and local organizations to identify and address specific safety concerns tailored to each district, recognizing that the policing needs in areas like Vanier differ from those in Centretown or Barrhaven.

OPS Chief Eric Stubbs emphasized the need for this model during an interview with Postmedia, stating, “We’re simply not ready for it,” referring to the challenges posed by the city’s growth. He noted that the OPS has not expanded sufficiently to meet the demands of a rapidly growing population and that a more effective delivery model is essential to address the unique needs of various neighborhoods.

Cost Breakdown and Funding Strategy

The financial implications of the new district model are significant. The OPS plans to hire around 63 new full-time officers to support the initiative, which will involve substantial training costs. The breakdown of expenses includes hiring 15 officers in 2026 at a cost of $2.68 million, 29 officers in 2027 at $5.56 million, and 19 officers in 2028 at $3.2 million. According to Acting Superintendent Kevin Maloney, this phased approach allows the OPS to effectively manage resources, stating, “We know things just aren’t ready yet, so we don’t need to have the positions in place in 2026.”

This hiring process is part of the OPS’ three-year staff stabilization strategy, with an additional $8.1 million allocated in 2025 to fill vacancies caused by retirements and long-term leaves. “The staff stabilization plan is tied to the district model in a number of respects,” Stubbs explained, emphasizing the need for adequate organizational structure to support each district’s implementation.

Community Engagement and Future Outlook

The OPS has engaged with city councillors, community partners, and frontline workers during the development of this model. Both Stubbs and Maloney indicate that feedback from community associations has underscored the desire for a stronger police presence in various wards. Stubbs remarked, “If we hear from the councillors and the community, we can tailor a response and strategy for that particular neighbourhood.”

The OPS has drawn inspiration from community safety frameworks in policing jurisdictions across the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom. Maloney noted, “We changed our practices. We’re returning to that more community-based policing methodology.” The proposed model is not unique to Ottawa; cities like Vancouver and Toronto have implemented similar frameworks to enhance district-level policing.

While the district model aims to improve community safety, it may also pose challenges for the OPS in managing its specialized units, which are currently experiencing increasing complexity and rising caseloads. Maloney acknowledged that prioritizing the new model could limit the OPS’s ability to respond to these existing demands in the short term. The report suggests that the full implementation of the model may take longer than the projected three years if broader organizational demands are considered in future budget decisions.

As the Ottawa community prepares for these changes, the OPS is committed to fostering stronger relationships with residents and partners, working collaboratively to create safer environments across the city.