News Release
Two Ottawa Police Service Officers Charged
Case Number: 11-OCI-168
Witness Assistance
Mississauga (16 September, 2011) --- The Director of the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), Ian Scott, has caused charges to be laid today against two Ottawa Police Service (OPS) officers.
The OPS contacted the SIU on August 13, 2011 and reported that earlier in the day two officers had responded to a call on Henderson Avenue in regards to a man who was lying on the sidewalk and appeared to be unconscious. When the officers arrived they located 50-year-old Hugh Styres of Ottawa. Mr. Styres was eventually arrested by the two officers. Mr. Styres sustained injuries during the process and was taken to hospital where he was diagnosed with facial fractures.
As a result of the SIU investigation surrounding Mr. Styres’s injuries, Director Scott has concluded that there are reasonable grounds to believe that Mr. Styres was assaulted by the two arresting officers.
Constable Colin Bowie and Constable Thanh Tran each face one charge each of assault causing bodily harm contrary to section 267 (b) of the Criminal Code of Canada.
The officers are required to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice, 161 Elgin Street, Ottawa on October 20, 2011. The Justice Prosecutions branch of the Ministry of the Attorney General will have carriage of the prosecution.
As this matter is now before the courts, and in consideration of the fair trial interests of the charged officers and the community, the SIU will make no further comment pertaining to this investigation
The SIU is an arm’s length agency that investigates reports involving police where there has been death, serious injury or allegations of sexual assault. Under the Police Services Act, the Director of the SIU must
- consider whether an officer has committed a criminal offence in connection with the incident under investigation
- depending on the evidence, lay a criminal charge against the officer if appropriate or close the file without any charges being laid
- report the results of any investigations to the Attorney General.
Jasbir Dhillon, jasbir.dhillon@ontario.ca
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES
Telephone/No de téléphone: 416-622-2342 or/ou 1-800-787-8529 extension 2342