Teddy Bear Program Questions & Answers

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• Why was the Teddy Bear Program being re-launched?

  Until recently, the Ottawa Police Service (OPS) Teddy Bear Program was operated through funding provided by a previous organization, who have since withdrawn their support. Through the generous contribution of several downtown Bridgehead Coffee Shops, staff agreed to re-launch and support the Teddy Bear Program by donating their pennies. Funds collected go to purchasing teddy bears for officers to give to children who have been involved in a crisis.

• What types of situations would trigger an officer to give out a teddy bear?

  Unfortunately, children are sometimes faced with adult problems. Teddy bears can be used to distract children from potentially traumatic situations. Some of these would include:

   

  • Traffic stops and accidents

  Accompanied by blaring sirens and flashing lights, police officers can seem very menacing.

   

  • Domestic violence calls

  Unfortunately, these often involve children – sometimes roused out of bed, always deeply disturbed by the turbulence going on in their home.

   

  • Child abuse or neglect

  These cases often bring police to homes where children have experienced trauma and face displacement.

   

  How bears are distributed from the program is based on the officer’s assessment of the child’s physical and emotional status.

• I have gently used teddy bears. Can I donate them to the Teddy Bear Program?

  We have politely declined donations of stuffed animals from the public since the Teddy Bear Program’s inception to ensure that the bears conform to a consistent size, are hypoallergenic and brand new.

  Currently, the program is being funded by the generous tips from staff at several downtown Bridgehead Coffee Shop locations. Inquiries about donations can be sent to TeddyBearMail@ottawapolice.ca.

   

                  Please note: The Ottawa Police Service does not accept corporate sponsorships.