Ottawa's police board is calling for Chief Vern White, pictured, and the police union to calm a public feud that has erupted since the release of two cellblock videos. (Canadian Press)

Ottawa's police board is calling for the force's brass and officers to end their public feud.

Police Chief Vern White's administration has come under fire from the Ottawa Police Association for the way it has dealt with public anger over the discovery of at least four videos that show questionable behaviour of police officers on the Elgin Street cellblock.

Two publicly released videos show a special constable knee one suspect, and kick another.

On Wednesday the police union, which has been critical of the police brass since the scandal broke in mid-November, released a letter that said officers asked White for additional cellblock training over a year ago. That claim was rejected by acting Chief Gilles Larochelle in a letter of his own written Thursday.

"I'm sick and tired of this issue being debated through the media, or email, or through letters," said Coun. Maria McRae (River ward), who sits on the Ottawa Police Services Board.

"We need to restore the public faith in our police service, where some of these issues are concerned."

McRae called for both sides to sit down together and talk. Failing that, she suggested a third party be brought in to mediate the dispute.

Retired Ottawa police officer and former deputy chief Larry Hill said the tense relationship is not surprising, as both sides have "unique interests." The chief must be firm on police misconduct, while the officers want the full judicial process to play out.

Ottawa Police Association President Steve Boucher has been critical of how the police brass has handled the release and investigation of controversial cellblock videos. (CBC)

Hill agreed with McRae that it's important the two sides begin communicating directly with one another.

"Keep talking. Maintain a professional relationship," Hill said. "You need to ensure that the other party understands where you're coming from."

Hill said the spat between brass and union won't affect police work.

"The officers … the men and women on the street, they're highly professional," Hill said.

Cellblock videos spark controversy

Ottawa police have now identified four cellblock videos of concern.

The first, released Nov. 26, shows Stacy Bonds, a 27-year-old with no criminal history, being kneed and strip-searched in 2008 after she was arrested on Rideau Street for public intoxication. The charge was stayed by Justice Richard Lajoie of the Ontario Court of Justice in a verbal ruling Oct. 27.

Public anger was triggered by a cellblock video of Stacy Bonds, pictured being held on the ground, being kneed and strip-searched. (CBC)

A second video, released a week later, shows Terry Delay, who was also arrested for public intoxication, appearing to be kicked as he is put into a jail cell by the same special constable who kneed Bonds. Charges against Delay were also stayed.

Special constables are civilians sworn in as peace officers by the chief of police.

Both videos are being reviewed by Ontario's Special Investigations Unit, a civilian agency that reviews cases of death, serious injury or sexual assault that involve police.

On Tuesday Larochelle announced two more cellblock videos that are being investigated, but that won't be released publicly as both cases are before the courts.

The SIU has been given one video, in case it chooses to launch an investigation.

Ontario Provincial Police are reviewing the other, and will also be examining the Ottawa Police Service's cellblock policies and procedures.