News Release
October 13, 2020 Update into SIU Investigation in Ottawa
Case Number: 20-OCD-256
SIU investigators are continuing their work to determine what transpired before the death of a 23-year-old man, who fell from an Ottawa apartment window on October 7, 2020.
As of today:
- The SIU’s Affected Persons Program – which was engaged at the onset of the investigation – continues to be actively involved. Due to confidentiality and privacy considerations, further details regarding the nature of the involvement is not being released.
- Three officers have been designated as subject officers, and invitations have been extended to have the officers interviewed by the SIU. Pursuant to Ontario Regulation 267/10 of the Police Services Act, subject officers cannot be legally compelled to present themselves for an interview with the SIU and they do not have to submit their notes to the SIU. The SIU has not yet heard back whether the officers will agree to interviews.
- Of the nine officers designated as witness officers, two have been interviewed by SIU investigators and the remaining interviews are expected to take place this week.
- Four civilian witnesses have been interviewed and additional interviews are being arranged.
- The scene and involved apartment were examined and digitally photographed, exhibits were collected, and measurements were taken of all areas relevant to the incident.
The SIU is urging anyone who may have information about this investigation to contact the lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529. The Unit is also urging anyone who may have any video evidence related to this incident to upload that video through the SIU website.
If you or someone you know is an affected person in need of support, please call the Affected Persons Program General Referral Line at 1-877-641-1897 or click here for more information: siu.on.ca/en/apc.php
The SIU is an independent government agency that investigates the conduct of officials (police officers as well as 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