News Release

SIU to Probe Ottawa Incident

Case Number: 10-OSA-251   

Other News Releases Related to Case 10-OSA-251

Ottawa Police Service Officer Charged

Mississauga (19 November, 2010) --- On October 27, 2010, Justice Richard Lajoie, in staying the proceedings against S.B., made the following comments regarding the conduct of certain Ottawa Police Service officers during Ms. B.’s time in police custody:

  • “I was appalled by the fact that a strip search was undertaken by [the officer] in the presence of, and with the assistance of at least three male officers.”
  • “There is no reasonable explanation for [the officer] to have cut Ms. [B.]’s shirt and bra off …”

On November 17, 2010, Justice Lajoie’s ruling was released to the public. On the basis of this information, the SIU will be probing the circumstances surrounding this incident.

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