News Release
SIU Concludes Investigation into Ottawa Vehicle Incident
Case Number: 09-OVI-281
The SIU assigned three investigators and two forensic investigators to probe the circumstances surrounding this incident.
The SIU investigation determined that on November 6, 2009, OPS officers attended a high priority call for a stabbing at a plaza located at 3781 Strandherd Drive in Ottawa. Clyde McMullen, who worked at the Shoppers Drug Mart in the plaza, decided to assist the police officers responding to the scene. He positioned himself in the middle of the roadway and stopped civilian vehicles, while attempting to direct police vehicles into the rear laneway off Strandherd Drive. In an effort to gain access to the crime scene, the subject officer tried to get around Mr. McMullen by slowly driving his police cruiser partly onto the sidewalk. Unfortunately, at the same time, Mr. McMullen stepped back toward the sidewalk, and his right leg ended up under the cruiser's right rear wheel. This resulted in a severe fracture of his right ankle.
Director Ian Scott said, "At the moment of the accident, there is no suggestion that the subject officer was driving in a dangerous or reckless manner. The most reasonable interpretation of the investigation is that while stepping backward, the complainant got his right leg caught under the rear wheel of the subject officer's cruiser. While the injury was a serious one, it would appear to be the result of an accident as opposed to any misconduct on the part of the subject officer."
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