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Serving Ottawa > Sections & Units > Professional Standards Section > Complaint > Complaints Involving Damage or Loss of Property Due to Police Actions

Complaints Involving Damage or Loss of Property Due to Police Actions

The Ottawa Police Service’s Professional Standards Section and the City of Ottawa’s Claims Unit respond to, and investigate all claims made against the Ottawa Police Service from persons who believe the Service is responsible, due to police actions, for the loss or damage of their property.

If you feel that the Ottawa Police Service has incurred damage to your property as a result of police actions, you may submit a claim through the City of Ottawa’s Claims Unit or the Ottawa Police Service’s Professional Standards Section as follows:

In order to submit a Property Damage Claim, a letter must be written, containing the following information:

  • date of claim or notification;
  • name, address and telephone number of the person making the claim;
  • date, approximate time, location and police report number (if known) of the incident giving rise to the claim;
  • apparent cause of the loss or damage incurred (to the extent it is known); and
  • nature of damage incurred (i.e. personal injury, property damage, loss or property, expenses incurred etc.).
  • a receipt or invoice for damage incurred

Submit claims to the Ottawa Police Service Professional Standards Section:

Mail:
Ottawa Police Service
Professional Standards Section, Damage Claims
P.O. Box 9634, Station T
Ottawa, ON
K1G 6H5
Email: info@ottawapolice.ca
Fax: (613) 760-8127

The Ottawa Police Service will ensure that the claims are acknowledged, investigated, tracked, evaluated and resolved. If you have any questions regarding the Property Damage Claims process, please read our Frequently Asked Questions or contact the Professional Standards Section at:

474 Elgin Street
Ottawa, ON
K1G 6H5
Tel: (613) 236-1222 x 5830
Email: info@ottawapolice.ca

Frequently Asked Questions about Property Damage Claims

Q1: What is a Property Damage Claim?
A1: A property damage claim is a process that takes place when a member of the public has had damage incurred to their property as a result of police actions, for example, a door was broken down, a car was towed, or a personal belonging went missing during a search. Both the Ottawa Police Service’s Professional Standards Section and the City of Ottawa’s Claims Unit accept damage claim submissions.


Q2: Why are damage claims handled by the Professional Standards Section?
A2: The Police Services Act establishes a partnership between the Ottawa Police Service, the Police Services Board, members of the public and Ontario Civilian Commission on Police Services. The Professional Standards Section investigates and facilitates the resolution of complaints and claims in an impartial and professional manner.

The Ottawa police Service believes that all people have the right to be treated in a courteous and professional manner and Professional Standards Section ensures that investigations are conducted with fairness and impartiality as well as being completed in a timely fashion with thoroughness and consistency.


Q3: Why do I need to submit a claim?
A3: If damage has been incurred to your property due to police actions, you may choose to submit a claim for possible reimbursement.


Q4: Should I submit my claim to the Ottawa Police Service or the City of Ottawa? What’s the difference?
A4: There is no difference whether you submit your claim through the Ottawa Police Service or the City of Ottawa. Both will ensure that the claims are acknowledged, investigated, tracked, evaluated and resolved.


Q5: What happens when I submit a claim?
A5: When a letter is sent to the Professional Standards Section or the City of Ottawa’s Claims Unit as a claim for property damage from police actions, an investigation begins. The results of the investigation will be forwarded to the City of Ottawa Legal Department, where a determination will be made regarding liability and payment. The City of Ottawa Claims Unit will notify the parties involved of the decisions on payment.


Q6: If I submit a claim, do I automatically receive a reimbursement or payment?
A6: No, each case is investigated individually to determine liability and, if merited, a reimbursement for damage incurred.


Q7: Who should I contact if I have a complaint about the Ottawa Police Service?
A7: If you feel you have a complaint because of service you received from a member of the Ottawa Police Service, you can choose to file a complaint. It's only by bringing your concerns to our attention that we can effectively address them. We handle all complaints in an impartial and professional manner, and if possible, we encourage their resolution by way of mediation or through informal processes. We want an end result where both parties are satisfied with the outcome. Send us an email to info@ottawapolice.ca with your comments.

Our Professional Standards Section is conveniently located at 474 Elgin Street. You can come by in person or, if you prefer, you can submit a written complaint by mail at the address below. A complainant also has the option of using a standard Public Complaint form (PDF format - Adobe Acrobat Reader is required).

Professional Standards Section
P.O. 9634 Stn. T
Ottawa, Ontario
K1G 6H5
Fax: (613) 760-8127