Ingrid Pedersen – Ottawa Police Service

The Ottawa Police Service is more than a law enforcement agency—it’s a trusted partner committed to building a safer, more inclusive, and equitable community. Rooted in the values of honour, courage, and service, OPS upholds a vision of problem-oriented policing and deep community engagement.

As Ottawa continues to grow and evolve, so must the infrastructure supporting modern policing. That responsibility largely falls to Ingrid Pedersen, director of facilities and material management, whose leadership helps ensure that OPS’s physical spaces and assets keep pace with the changing demands of the city and the policing profession.

The south facility

One of the most transformative projects currently underway under Pedersen’s leadership is the South Facility, a key part of the OPS capital planning strategy. Targeted to open in early 2027, this facility will help the department keep pace with the rapid expansion of Ottawa’s southern region, now the city’s fastest-growing area.

The roots of this project date back to 2010, when OPS recognized that new operational buildings would be necessary to support population growth and urban development. The West End facility was prioritized first, aligning with West Ottawa’s growth. Today, the demographic momentum has shifted south, as has OPS’s focus.

More than just a reaction to population data, the South Facility also marks a strategic step toward implementing district model policing.

“Having a dedicated police station in each quadrant of the city—east, west, central, and now south—means our officers can be closer to the communities they serve,” Pedersen explains. “It mirrors the way fire and paramedic services operate, enabling faster, more localized responses.”

Capital planning at OPS is future-focused, projecting at least 15 years ahead. Pedersen and her team collaborate with city planners and master planning partners to analyze growth patterns, anticipated transportation routes, and residential developments.

“Our role is to ensure the police service is positioned to respond to the needs of tomorrow’s Ottawa,” she says. “As new neighborhoods emerge, we want to be ready—physically and operationally.”

Aligning infrastructure with strategic priorities

Pedersen’s leadership is not just about buildings—it’s about alignment. The work of the facilities and material management team is deliberately synchronized with OPS’s evolving operational goals. That means continuously updating their facilities’ strategic plan and aligning it with the broader direction of the organization.

“The nature of policing is always changing,” Pedersen notes. “As community needs shift and the types of services required from police evolve, we have to ensure that the physical environments—from frontline operations to investigative spaces, forensics labs, and training facilities—keep up.”

This kind of adaptability requires constant communication and collaboration across departments. A forward-looking steering committee helps ensure coordination, with members who understand the business of policing and work collectively to anticipate needs and devise long-term strategies. Whether updating infrastructure or reconfiguring space, Pedersen’s team is charged with providing a flexible, scalable physical environment to support the diverse and dynamic operations of the police service.

A blend of vision & vigilance

Pedersen’s approach to facilities leadership is marked by a delicate balance of proactivity and reactivity—an essential mindset in the high-pressure world of law enforcement.

“We’re always planning, but we also need to be ready to pivot at a moment’s notice,” she says. “That’s the nature of policing in Canada’s capital.”

Her portfolio includes oversight of the three facilities units, space management team, capital projects team, and the quartermaster section that supplies uniforms and equipment to sworn officers. Ensuring these operations run smoothly is no small feat. On any given day, Pedersen’s team might be managing a long-term development plan or responding to an urgent facilities issue, all while maintaining operational support for frontline staff.

Being based in Ottawa adds layers of complexity. As the nation’s capital, the city regularly hosts high-profile events, political demonstrations, and dignitary visits—all of which demand flexibility and rapid coordination.

“Our goal is always to ensure the OPS has the physical tools, equipment, and support systems it needs to respond, no matter the scenario,” she says.

Designing with purpose

Pedersen brings a unique blend of technical knowledge and design thinking to her role, thanks to her background in interior architecture. Before joining OPS, she spent a decade at an architecture firm, developing an eye for functional design and complex project management. She originally joined OPS as a project manager and has since ascended into a senior leadership position where her architectural insights remain an asset.

“I’ve always loved solving spatial problems—figuring out how design can support people’s daily work,” she says. “At OPS, the spaces we create directly impact safety, efficiency, and morale. That makes the work incredibly meaningful.”

In addition to her technical capabilities, Pedersen is known for building consensus and fostering strong partnerships. Whether working with internal teams, external consultants, or municipal stakeholders, she approaches each project collaboratively.

“You can’t build infrastructure in isolation,” she notes. “It takes shared vision and trust across teams.”

That collaborative ethos is essential as OPS navigates the next decade of growth and transformation. With community expectations evolving and new technologies reshaping the profession, the physical footprint of the Ottawa Police Service must adapt in kind. Pedersen’s team will be at the forefront of that adaptation.

The future of policing in Ottawa will rely on people, policies, and well-planned, responsive infrastructure. Pedersen’s work ensures that OPS remains equipped to meet the moment—and the moments to come.

Whether through the development of new district facilities like the South Facility, the strategic alignment of infrastructure to operational goals, or the day-to-day support of frontline officers, Pedersen and her team are integral to OPS’s mission. Their work may happen behind the scenes, but its impact is deeply felt—by officers, leadership, and most importantly, the communities they serve.