An Ottawa woman arrested by police during one of the lowest points of her life says the officer's decision to refer her to a diversion program instead of laying charges set her on a path to recovery — and she recently reached out to tell him so.
According to the Ottawa Police Service, officers responded to a call on a night of heavy rain and placed the woman, identified only as "Ms. M," under arrest. The service said she was in the grip of a severe personal crisis at the time.
The arresting officer concluded that rehabilitation and community support, rather than immediate criminal charges, were what the woman needed. Her case was diverted through the Adult Pre-Charge Diversion (APCD) program, which the Ottawa Police Service said is designed to address the root causes of criminal behaviour by connecting people with community services.
Through the program, Ms. M was referred to the Elizabeth Fry Society of Ottawa, an organization that provides support, guidance and rehabilitation resources for women navigating the justice system. She completed tailored community-based requirements in lieu of facing formal criminal charges.
Recently, Ms. M contacted the officer who arrested her with an update: she has finished the diversion program, remains clean and sober, and has returned to work.
"I just wanted to say thank you and let you know how grateful I am for the arrest... You changed my life!"
"Instead of charging me, you referred me to the diversion program at the Elizabeth Fry Society," her message continued, according to the Ottawa Police Service. "I can't begin to tell you how much that changed my life. I'm still clean, sober, and back to work!"
"KEEP CHANGING LIVES!!"
What is pre-charge diversion?
The Adult Pre-Charge Diversion unit is a community policing section of the Ottawa Police Service. Rather than sending a case straight to the courts, officers can refer eligible adults to community agencies that address the factors behind the offence, such as addiction, mental health struggles or housing instability.
In Ms. M's case, that meant a direct connection to the Elizabeth Fry Society of Ottawa, which offers court support and in-reach programming for women involved with the justice system.
The Ottawa Police Service said the outcome illustrates how officers and community agencies working together can offer second chances, build a safer community, and turn a crisis into a recovery story.
