News Release
SIU Completes Investigation into Ottawa Officer’s Discharge of Less-Lethal Firearm at Man
Case Number: 23-OFP-303
Other News Releases Related to Case 23-OFP-303
SIU Investigating Ottawa Police Officer Discharge of Less-Lethal Firearm at Man
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, found no reasonable grounds to believe a Ottawa Police Service officer committed a criminal offence in connection with shooting a less-lethal firearm at a 24-year-old man in August.
On August 1, 2023, tactical officers were asked to assist in the arrest of the man, who was wanted by the City of Gatineau Police Service for attempted murder. As the man fled police, he dropped a firearm on Lisgar Street. An officer shot the man with a single less-lethal round. The man fell to the ground, was arrested and handcuffed. He was taken to hospital and was not seriously injured.
Full Director’s Report (with Incident Narrative, Evidence, and Analysis & Director’s Decision):
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
Lisez ce communiqué en français.
Monica Hudon, siu.media@ontario.ca
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES