News Release

News Release

SIU Concludes Investigation into Man’s Neck Fracture Diagnosis After Ottawa Bus Arrest

Case Number: 26-OCI-077   

Mississauga, ON (14 July, 2026) ---
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, found no reasonable grounds to believe Ottawa Police Service officers committed a criminal offence in connection with the serious injury diagnosis of a 36-year-old man following his arrest. On February 17, 2026, police were called about a man banging on a city bus at Bank and Catherine streets. Officers arrested the man for mischief, taking hold of the man’s arms and guiding him to the ground.

Director Martino found the force used was necessary and reasonable considering the man’s belligerence and unwillingness to comply with the officers’ requests. It was apparent on the video footage of the arrest that the force used was minimal, with no strikes, and no more than was necessary to take the man into custody. 

Director Martino found it doubtful that the man’s injuries were caused by the police. He found it far more likely that they were from a fight on the bus or self-inflicted when he intentionally banged his head off the bus. Paramedics took the man to hospital for treatment of head lacerations and a neck fracture.

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.

Kristy Denette, siu.media@ontario.ca
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES