News Release

News Release

SIU Concludes Investigation into Man’s Self-Inflicted Wound During Ottawa Arrest

Case Number: 26-OCI-006   

Mississauga, ON (1 May, 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 self-inflicted knife wound suffered by a 35-year-old man during his arrest in his car. On January 3, 2026, officers tried to pull over the man, behind the wheel of a Hyundai Elantra, following a call to police about the man being in mental distress. The man attempted to flee before his car was boxed in by police at Longfields Drive, south of Cambrian Road.

Police negotiated with the man to drop the knife. After several hours, tactical officers moved in to apprehend the man under the Mental Health Act. During his arrest, police used conducted energy weapons and pepper spray. The man was taken to hospital for treatment of a self-inflicted knife wound to his abdomen.

Director Martino concluded that the negotiations were conducted with care and compassion. He found the force used made sense as it was imperative that the man be incapacitated as quickly as possible to prevent the knife from being used to inflict grievous bodily harm or death on himself or the officers. 

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.

Monica Hudon, siu.media@ontario.ca
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES