News Release

News Release

SIU Concludes Investigation into Teen’s Serious Injury During Ottawa Arrest

Case Number: 26-OCI-151   

Other News Releases Related to Case 26-OCI-151

SIU Appealing for Witnesses to Ottawa Arrest

Mississauga, ON (24 July, 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 serious injury suffered by a 14-year-old boy during his arrest. On March 30, 2026, officers in the ByWard Market located the teen, who was wanted for criminal offences committed weeks before. The boy fled until he was relocated on Beausoleil Drive and York Street. A bystander bear-hugged the youth, and an officer came down onto the boy. The teen was taken to hospital where he was treated for a fractured right thumb.

As there was urgency in securing the youth as quickly as possible – they were directly across from a school and police had credible information that led them to believe the boy may have been armed – Director Martino was unable to reasonably conclude that the officer comported himself unreasonably when he pinned the boy to the street with what was likely significant force.

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