Thread by @judyatrinh

A thread on the lack of transparency @OttawaPolice Board Meetings. Prior to COVID, reporters could scrum @OPSChiefSloly and Chair @dianedeans or any other officer present before or after the monthly meetings. For nearly a year that has not been possible. That should chang

Because of COVID, OPSB meetings are rightfully held over zoom to keep everyone safe. Only public delegations and board members get to ask questions. Journalists do not. For nearly a year, police have mostly been sending out responses over email through media relations.

Here's an example why. Take a look Monday's Ottawa Police Board meeting agenda app05.ottawa.ca/sirepub/mtgvie…
So many issues-from internal sexual violence investigations to SIU updates will be addressed. But reporters can't ask questions. There is also one GLARING omission

Arguably the biggest issue that has transpired since the holidays is how @OttawaPolice responded to a group of young Black Men gathered at St. Laurent Mall on Dec 27, They were rounded up at gunpoint by police following a 911 call. That issues will be dealt with IN CAMERA only

Dec 27 is an @OttawaPolice response that put the safety of Black teens at risk. There are questions here of racial profiling, what could be a false 911 call and use of force. These are PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUES so why is the issue being dealt with behind closed doors?

For background here is CBC Ottawa's report of what happened
cbc.ca/news/canada/ot…
And in @chrisksimba 's own words in The Star
thestar.com/opinion/contri…

Community groups @DiasporaOttawa @HorizonOttawa @J4Abdirahman have been demanding a response for more than month. Some of their requests are actually pretty easy to get, such as a copy of the 911 call and surveillance video @StLaurentCentre and can help illuminate facts

It's possible this was a misunderstanding. That police responded appropriately to what they thought was a legitimate gun call at a mall. But until the 911 call and the mall security video is released - how do we know that? And an IN CAMERA meeting doesn't reassure anyone

The young men rounded up that day may not have a criminal record, but there will a record of police contact. If that isn't set straight - every interaction they have w/ police will be influenced by Dec 27. They will be treated differently if there is a gun call on their records.

Sure police can set the agenda, but the truth of the matter, what is discussed at board meetings may not be the community issue that people care most about. A reporter's job is to ask questions, to bring concerns to light and seek accountability. Email responses don't cut it.-30-