The City of Ottawa is seeking applications from individuals interested in serving as a Citizen Appointee to the Ottawa Police Services Board, for a three-year term coinciding with the term of City Council.
What does the Board do?
The Ottawa Police Services Board is a provincially legislated body accountable to the Province and operates under the authority of the Police Services Act. It is responsible for providing governance and oversight to the Ottawa Police Service and for ensuring the provision of adequate and effective police services in the City of Ottawa.
What level of commitment is required?
The position requires a significant time commitment, an average of 40 hours a month, which includes time for reviewing agendas and other materials. While the time commitment required will vary for each Board member depending on individual level of participation, the committees they serve on, and how busy those committees are, there are between 5 and 12 meetings/events per month, some of which are optional. Monthly in camera Board meetings are currently held virtually at 2:00 pm, followed by a public meeting starting at 4 pm, typically on the fourth Monday of each month. In addition, the Board has four sub-committees that meet during the day. Board members are expected to serve on at least one committee, attend monthly Board meetings, committee meetings and certain police functions, and are strongly encouraged to participate in ongoing training.
In addition to the expectations above for a public member serving at large, a motion was approved at the City Council meeting of December 7, 2022(link is external) to increase the honorarium for the public member should they serve as Chair of the Board. Council would consider at the time of appointment, in early 2024, whether to recommend to the Board that the public member serve as Chair. Applicants should note that, if they are elected as Chair of the Police Services Board, this position is one of significant responsibility, requiring a substantial personal commitment of time and resources. Currently, it is estimated that Board members spend 40 hours a month on Board business; the Chair, on average, can expect to spend an additional 10 hours per week on tending to Board matters.
Remuneration
As noted above, Council approved an increase in the honorarium for a Public Member of the Ottawa Police Services Board should they be elected as Chair. The honorarium is increased to $54,000 per year.
Who is eligible?
Applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Must be a resident of the City of Ottawa
- At least 18 years of age
- Not an elected official of municipal council
- Not an employee of the municipality, a judge, a justice of the peace nor a police officer
- Not otherwise disqualified from holding office
- Not a person who practices criminal law as a defence counsel
- Must be willing to provide authorization for a background check / Police Records Check.
What skills or experience would be beneficial to the Ottawa Police Services Board?
Relevant skills include leadership skills, knowledge and experience in the area of board governance, interest or skills in policy and planning, experience in financial management, budget development, risk management/audit, legal matters, labour relations and human resources, skills in conflict management, negotiation and mediation, and voluntary or non-profit sector experience through membership on boards and committees or professional associations.
A detailed Member Job Description is available online through the Board’s Policy ManualOpens in a new tab or window(link is external) (page 12) that includes a Statement of Qualifications. See below for information on how to obtain a copy.
Applicants should also be aware the Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019(link is external) will be coming into force on April 1, 2024.
When do we meet?
The PSB generally meets on the fourth Monday of every month, beginning with an in-camera meeting at 2:00pm, followed by a public meeting beginning at 4 pm.. There may occasionally be a need for special meetings to be called in the event the PSB must consider time sensitive matters.
The Board also has four standing committees which meet as needed, usually during the day.
All meetings are currently held virtually however this could be subject to change should the Board so choose.
Additional information about the Ottawa Police Services Board is available at ottawapoliceboard.ca(link is external).
How to apply
All applicants are encouraged to review the recruitment information and apply using the online form(link is external).
Applications for the following must be submitted by Friday, January 19, 2024 at 4:30 pm.
