News Release
SIU Concludes Investigation into Man’s Death in Ottawa
Case Number: 23-OCD-375
Other News Releases Related to Case 23-OCD-375
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 death of a 41-year-old man last September in Ottawa.
On September 12, 2023, officers went to an apartment building on McEwen Avenue in response to a report about a naked man in the basement. He appeared confused, agitated and impaired. The man was unable to answer officers’ questions. Officers secured his hands in handcuffs and realized the man was in medical distress. Paramedics were called. Officers provided medical care until paramedics arrived. The man was taken to hospital and pronounced deceased.
While it remains unknown how and why the man died, Director Martino was satisfied on reasonable grounds that the man’s death was not attributable to any conduct on the part of the subject officer.
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