Auditor General Tables Ottawa Police Service – Audit of Staffing

Ottawa – Today, Auditor General Nathalie Gougeon tabled the Audit of Staffing for the Ottawa Police Service (OPS or the Service) before the Ottawa Police Service Board’s Finance and Audit Committee. This audit was one of several identified through a risk and opportunities assessment of OPS, which the Office of the Auditor General conducted at the request of the Board.  

The audit noted that while OPS is actively working to address staffing challenges, there are key areas where additional focus is required to effectively meet current and future policing demands.  The audit highlighted that OPS’s frontline deployment is currently based on outdated targets and does not reflect Ottawa’s changing landscape.   

“The deployment of frontline officers is still being guided by outdated targets that do not reflect the ways that the City has evolved — including factors such as population growth, urban expansion, and the escalating opioid and mental health crises.” said Mrs. Gougeon.  

The Auditor General also noted, that although OPS has a well-established recruitment program, supporting policies are outdated and not consistently followed. Further, with the exception of Use of Force training, which is tracked separately, there is no complete, up-to-date matrix of mandatory training by role and rank, and formal tracking is inconsistent. 

The audit provided recommendations aimed at ensuring that OPS has more effective strategies, tools and data to support staffing and deployment, positioning the Service to better meet operational needs and service demands – now and into the future. 

The report included 10 recommendations, all of which were accepted by management.  

To view the full report, visit www.oagottawa.ca. 

For more information:  
613 580-9602  
OAG@ottawa.ca