Keara Dean, a social worker residing in Ottawa, states that a 2023 mediation process with the Ottawa Police Service left her feeling broken down, blamed, placated, and cast aside after she struggled to report a historical sexual assault. According to Dean, the response from police leaders following her public criticism at a municipal meeting in June demonstrates that the institution remains more focused on self-defense than on acknowledging mistakes or repairing harm.
Mediation Session and Complaint Withdrawal Pressure in Spring 2023
Ottawa police offered Dean mediation in the spring of 2023. According to Dean, she was escorted into a locked room with two civilian employees from the reporting line and an officer from the professional standards section without being informed she could bring a supporter or lawyer. During the session, Dean stated she was told police gave her incorrect information in November 2022 because she purportedly failed to use the specific term “historical sexual violence.” Dean disputed this, stating she had rehearsed the phrase beforehand and broke down crying. Following the departure of the civilian employees, the professional standards officer slid a pre-filled, first-person form across the table titled “Withdrawal of a Public Complaint Against the Police,” asking Dean to sign away her complaint filed with the Office of the Independent Police Review Director (now the Law Enforcement Complaints Agency). Dean refused, called the request appalling and unethical, kept the document, and provided a copy to CBC.
Did You Know? In September 2023, Keara Dean received a formal apology letter from the Ottawa Police Service acknowledging that the call taker and supervisor failed to make sufficient inquiries or seek clarification on her initial call.
Apology, Police Board Meeting, and Leadership Response
Several months after the mediation, in the summer of 2023, another professional standards officer contacted Dean after reviewing the audio recording of her initial call to the reporting line and confirmed she had indeed used the words “historical sexual violence.” In September 2023, the Ottawa Police Service issued a formal apology letter ending the complaint process. Later, in June of this year, Dean addressed an Ottawa Police Service Board meeting regarding police misconduct and trauma response. After her delegation, Police Chief Eric Stubbs asked if she would speak to employees to help educate them. Dean noted the force made a similar request after the 2023 mediation but failed to follow up despite her contacting them twice. Marty Carr asked about trauma training strides, prompting Deputy Chief Patricia Ferguson to reply that the delegate spoke about November 2022 and that the force has since made strides. Dean stated Ferguson’s remarks left her feeling dismissed.
Subsequent Developments and Institutional Response
In an emailed statement regarding the 2023 mediation process, Ottawa police declined to answer specific questions regarding how the session was conducted, how personnel are prepared, or whether filling out complaint withdrawal forms on behalf of citizens is permitted. The force recognized that Dean’s experiences caused her further distress. Regarding Deputy Chief Ferguson’s comments at the June police board meeting, Ottawa police stated the remarks were not intended to minimize Dean’s experience, while acknowledging the delivery did not land well and left Dean feeling dismissed. The service added that changes made since 2022 do not erase what occurred or lessen the need for the institution to continue listening, learning, and improving how it supports victims of sexual violence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What triggered Keara Dean’s initial contact with police in November 2022?
Dean attempted to assist with an investigation into a man charged that fall with sexually assaulting two women, murdering one, and attempting to murder another in Quebec City and Jonquière, Que., in 2000. Certain details reminded her of a violent sexual assault she says she endured in Quebec City in the mid-1990s.
What document was Keara Dean asked to sign during mediation?
She was asked to sign a pre-filled form titled “Withdrawal of a Public Complaint Against the Police,” which sought to withdraw her complaint made to the Office of the Independent Police Review Director.
Did Ottawa police eventually confirm that Dean used the correct terminology?
Yes. In the summer of 2023, a professional standards officer contacted Dean after reviewing the audio of her initial call and confirmed she had indeed used the words “historical sexual violence.”
How do you believe police services should handle mediation and trauma-informed training following public complaints?