A quick search on the radio reference site indicates that your city police 
are on an EDACS trunking system using provoice digital.  Unfortunately there 
are no scanners that allow you to listen to provoice communications. 
However, all other services in your area such as fire, EMS, transit, city 
works, government and lots of other stuff is using mostly motorola LTR 
trunking systems which any decent trunking scanner can listen to.
I recommend the GRE PSR-500 handheld scanner.  It is no longer in production 
but can be had on ebay for a reasonable price.  The GRE PSR-600 and 800 are 
also great.
I also highly recommend the Uniden  BCD436HP handheld scanner.  This one 
allows you to simply enter your postal code and location and it will self 
program all the known frequencies and systems in your area.
The 436 is around 600 bucks, and the GRE scanners can be had for less than 
300 on flee bay.
If police frequencies are really what he wants, then you must get a provoice 
enabled commercial two way radio from ebay such as the Ma/Com 
Ericson/harris/GE LPE-200, the P7100 or even a P700 handheld.  You must also 
get a programming cable and track down the appropriate programming 
software...then figure that software out and program the radio to receive 
provoice...sometimes a member of a local ham club or scanner enthusiast club 
can help with this...I would bet there are quite a few people around in the 
ham clubs who can help as the police are strictly provoice and most hams I 
know like to listen to that kind of stuff.

It doesn't appear as though Ottawa police are using incripted provoice...if 
they are though,  then you simply won't be able to listen no matter what you 
do...however, it looks like they are using regular provoice on the edacs 
system in the 866MHZ frequency range and if you can find someone who can 
program it then all the better.

Edmonton police use some provoice and I have a GE/ericson Jaguar 700P to 
monitor provoice, programmed by a member of the local amateur radio club.

73
Colin, V A6BKX
-----Original Message----- 
From: May, VA3AWL
Sent: Friday, January 09, 2015 3:34 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: scanners?

Good day.

I couldn't think of where better to ask this question than here, but if =
you do know of other sources feel free to pass them along as well.

My partner is wanting a scanner where he can monitor stuff like police, =
fire, public transit things like that. Are there any out there that you =
would recommend/ He's looking for one that's digital not analog.

73
May, VA3AWL
www.canadianlynx.ca
[log in to unmask]