News Release

News Release

SIU Concludes Investigation into Woman’s Broken Arm Amid Ottawa Arrest

Case Number: 25-OCI-384   

Mississauga, ON (21 January, 2026) ---
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, found no reasonable grounds to believe an Ottawa Police Service officer committed a criminal offence in connection with the fractured right arm suffered by a 55-year-old woman. On September 22, 2025, police were called to a residence in the area of Queen Mary Street and Vanier Parkway after receiving a report of an assault. 

The woman was arrested for assault, handcuffed and escorted down a flight of stairs to the main level. On the way down the woman lost her footing and fell, breaking her right arm in the process. Paramedics transported her to hospital.

Director Martino found no evidence the officers caused her fall; she simply lost her footing in her intoxicated state. 

Full Director’s Report (with Incident Narrative, Evidence, and Analysis & Director’s Decision): 

If you or someone you know has been negatively affected by an incident under SIU investigation and would like support, the Affected Persons Program is here to help. You can reach us at 1-877-641-1897. Support is free, confidential, and available 24/7, every day of the year.

The SIU is an independent government agency that investigates the conduct of officials (municipal, regional and provincial police officers, police officers with the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service, special constables with the Niagara Parks Commission and peace officers with the Legislative Protective Service) that may have resulted in death, serious injury, sexual assault and/or the discharge of a firearm at a person. All investigations are conducted by SIU investigators who are civilians. Under the Special Investigations Unit Act, the Director of the SIU must

  • consider whether the official has committed a criminal offence in connection with the incident under investigation
  • depending on the evidence, cause a criminal charge to be laid against the official where grounds exist for doing so, or close the file without any charges being laid
  • publicly report the results of its investigations

Lisez ce communiqué en français.

Monica Hudon, siu.media@ontario.ca
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES