News Release
SIU Concludes Investigation into Pursuit of Stolen Vehicle in Ottawa
Case Number: 08-OVI-111
Other News Releases Related to Case 08-OVI-111
It was shortly after 2:30 a.m. on June 20, 2008 when officers attempted to stop a reported stolen car at Heron Road and Baycrest Street. The SIU investigation determined that during the pursuit lasting less than two minutes and covering approximately one kilometre, the vehicle went out of control and spun out on Altavista Drive. "When officers attempted to stop the suspect vehicle, the suspect evaded their efforts to box him in and sped away," said Mr. Cornish. The stolen vehicle travelling in the wrong lane struck head-on a marked cruiser that had slowed almost to a stop. The officer involved in the collision suffered minor injuries, while the 21-year-old suspect was treated for a fractured wrist, cuts and bruises.
Mr. Cornish added: "I am satisfied that the suspect lost control of the vehicle he was operating when, at high speeds, one of its wheels struck a curb. The physical evidence is inconsistent with the notion that any cruiser struck the suspect from behind causing this loss of control."
The SIU assigned six investigators, including three forensic experts, to probe the sequence of events leading up to the collision between the police cruiser and the suspect vehicle. A total of five Ottawa Police officers were designated by the SIU - two as subject officers and three as witness officers. Investigators also examined the GPS (Global Positioning System) the CDR (Crash Data Retrieval) equipment in the police vehicles.
"The case demonstrates the benefits to civilian oversight of law enforcement that flow from the availability and use of modern technology by police agencies," said Mr. Cornish. "Of course, this is not the only or even perhaps the principle purpose of this technology; however, it is a truly positive effect of such. "
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