The Ottawa Police Service will hire 63 new police officers and civilians over the next three years as it implements a new deployment model that will split the capital into four districts. A report for the Ottawa Police Services Board outlines the new structure and the $11.4 million cost to create four geographical districts for policing in Ottawa - central, south, east and west. Since 2017, police have operated under a “centralized structure,” with the primary objective to maximize “resource utilization, strengthening the delivery of core services, streamlining operations and ensuring consistency across key service areas,” according to the report. However, police say the “limitations of a centralized model have become increasingly evident,” and there is a growing demand for a “more localized responsive, and community-centered service delivery.” “OPS is transitioning to a district-based operational structure, organizing the city into four distinct districts,” staff said. “This transformation is intended to revitalize and strengthen our approach to Community Safety and Well-Being.” Police Chief Eric Stubbs says Ottawa has a large geographical area and within that area are communities with different needs. “We have distinct and unique needs in the 24 wards that make up the city of Ottawa. It was obvious we were not serving some areas of the city in the way that we should, that we were letting certain areas of the city down,” he told reporters at a media availability Monday afternoon. He pointed to rapidly growing areas in the south end, such as Barrhaven, Riverside South and Manotick. “It’s just growing and growing, and we need more of a presence there,” he said. “When I speak with the councillors there… they all talk to me about how we need to see police more in these areas and our call volume is going up.” Police are conducting an analysis to finalize the zone boundaries and resource modelling. The four districts will each be led by a superintendent responsible for the Neighbourhood Policing and Frontline Patrol operations. “This decentralized leadership structure is designed to foster geographic ownership, support localized decision-making, enhance responsiveness, and strengthen community relationships,” police say. “Instead of everything occurring out of our headquarters, we have four districts,” Stubbs told reporters. “We have district officers and teams that are now tasked with determining, in those specific areas, what is it that is the priority in that community. That ownership and that accountability for our district teams is more apparent now, in terms of making sure we’re delivering for this community.” According to the report, each district will have an integrated Neighbourhood Team led by a District Neighbourhood Inspector, and will include Community Intake Relationship Specialists, Crime and Research Analysts, Neighbourhood Resource Teams, Community Police Officers, Youth Officers and Traffic Officers. “The hybrid team structure combines embedded roles with cross-functional capabilities, allowing for both specialization and adaptability,” police said. “This design promotes seamless communication and coordination across functions, ensuring that the team can respond effectively to a wide range of community needs.” As part of the shift to the new four district model, 92 positions have been “strategically repurposed or redistributed from the current structure,” and 63 new sworn officers and civilians will be hired over three years. Stubbs told CTV News Ottawa’s Patricia Boal on Wednesday that the changes are being made with the city’s budgetary constraints in check. “Obviously, the budget is a key factor. I’m not tone deaf to what’s happening in the city with finances and the budget, but this is something that we really believe in,” he said. The new district model will be rolled out between 2026 and 2028, with phase one of the new model launching in the winter of 2027. Police say 44 new full-time equivalent positions will be required for the first phase when the new south platoon is established. “The district model represents a transformative step forward for the Ottawa Police Service—one that is rooted in community input, operational insight, and a clear vision for more responsive, accountable, and locally focused policing,” says the report, submitted by Stubbs. “While the implementation of this model requires a significant investment—both in terms of staffing and financial resources—it is a necessary and strategic commitment to building a safer, more connected city. The phased approach, supported by a clear organizational structure and informed by ongoing analysis, ensures that the transition is both sustainable and aligned with long-term priorities.” With files from CTV News Ottawa’s Ted Raymond
