Odd Squad Productions, Even The Boss Is On Board….

Sometimes it’s just far to easy to be critical of the Vancouver City Police Department, and we forget that most of the guys and gals who are members are there because they believe they can make a difference. 

Caring; they’re doing it right. 

http://oddsquad.com/

Odd Squad Production (OSP) is a non-profit society which was created in 1998 by seven Vancouver City Police officers.

OSP developed a unique approach to community policing, crime prevention, and public education that addresses some of the major social problems affecting our community. Odd Squad’s approach to tackling these issues is accomplished by using reality-based/documentary video imagery as an educational tool. Having a close connection to the streets of the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver (DTES) has given OSP access to the real life and often tragic stories that are at the core of the productions. OSP ascribes to the notion that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. The goal of OSP is to educate and inform ‘at-risk’ groups throughout our province on the dangers of substance abuse and other anti-social and criminal behavior.

Although the expertise regarding the drug problems has arisen for the most part through the extensive beat work in the Downtown Eastside (DTES), an area tragically beset with social problems, it is the development and distribution of video materials and documentary productions that has thrust OSP primarily into the drug prevention and education fields. In addition to producing documentaries, OSP has developed program tools and services such as audio-visual presentations to community and educational institutions.

Since its inception, Odd Squad Productions has been involved with production of award-winning educational films for youth.  OSP’s first partnership was with the National Film Board of Canada for the documentary film Through a Blue Lens (1999). This continues to be one of the most popular drug-education films for high school classrooms across Canada.  It has become the most successful film in the history of the NFB. In 2007, Odd Squad produced four educational films that address issues regarding the use and consequences of illicit drugs amongst the junior and high school student population.