A Q&A with Sandy Hill’s new Community Police Officer

Our neighbourhood has a new Community Police Officer. After five years in Sandy Hill, Const. Sébastien Lemay is turning to focus exclusively on the ByWard Market and Lowertown. His replacement, Const. Mohamed Islam, started in the neighbourhood in January 2022. IMAGE editors posed a few questions to him.

 

Can you share with neighbours a little bit about yourself?

My name is Const. Mohamed Islam and I’m the new Community Police Officer (CPO) for the Sandy Hill area. I’ve been employed with the Ottawa Police Service for five and a half years. Prior to community policing, I was a frontline patrol officer responding to calls for service in the west end of Ottawa. Prior to that, I worked 15 years in community building with various community organizations, including the Pinecrest Queensway Community Health Centre, Boy and Girls Club of Ottawa, Somali Centre for Family Services, and the Centre for Resilience & Social Development.

 

What appealed to you about becoming the Community Police Officer for Sandy Hill?

My passion for community safety and well-being is what motivated me to join the CPO team. Upon learning about my CPO assignment to the Sandy Hill community, I was so thrilled. As a CPO I want to break down barriers and be the conduit to bridge the gap in communication and enhance collaboration.

 

What are your thoughts on the St. Patrick’s Day policing strategy and the outcome of the OPS activities in our community?

From a policing perspective, the St Pat’s Day celebrations went without any major incidents and that was in part due to early planning and engagement done by our Police Liaison Team (PLT). Our PLT canvassed door to door and engaged with students and residents promoting safe St Pat’s celebration. a

Our theme message centered around “safety & security being a shared responsibility.” I want to take this opportunity to thank all partners including students for their role in making sure the St Pat’s Day celebrations were a success for all from a safety standpoint.

 

How has the work of the City’s Community Engagement Team impacted your work in Sandy Hill?

The Community Engagement Team started around the same time I joined the CPO team. Kent Hugh is the coordinator and has been making the rounds to different platforms in the community so that he can better understand the issues affecting Sandy Hill. I look forward to working with him and his team to explore what more can be done and how we can build on the success.

— IMAGE staff

If you have any comments or concerns regarding our community, you can reach Const. Islam at IslamM@ottawapolice.ca or  613-236-1222 ext. 8334.