News Release

News Release

SIU Concludes Investigation into Man’s Fall in Flight from Ottawa Police

Case Number: 26-OOI-230   

Mississauga, ON (19 October, 2026) ---
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, found no reasonable grounds to believe two Ottawa Police Service officers committed a criminal offence in connection with the serious injury of a 32-year-old man.  On May 23, 2026, the man was sought by police for reportedly breaking into a bar near York Street and Sussex Drive. 

Officers spotted the man in a nearby parking garage, he ran and officers chased him for a matter of seconds before he climbed over a third-floor railing and fell to the sidewalk. He was taken to hospital with a brain bleed and skull fracture.

Director Martino found the officers could not have anticipated the man would imperil his life by climbing over the railing. He said the officers did what they could do to help the man, who hung by the railing with his hands before he fell on his head.

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.

Kristy Denette, siu.media@ontario.ca
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES