REPORT RAPPORT

DATE:	21 June 2011
TO/DEST:	Executive Director, Ottawa Police Services Board
FROM/EXP:	Chief of Police, Ottawa Police Service
SUBJECT/OBJET:	REPORT ON S.I.U. INVESTIGATION – INJURY DURING ARREST – SEPTEMBER 2010

RECOMMENDATION

That the Ottawa Police Services Board receive this report for information.

BACKGROUND

In October, 2010 an Ottawa Police officer initiated a person check.  Another individual unrelated to the incident was standing nearby. When asked by officers what he was doing, he jumped a nearby fence and landed 12 feet down on a concrete driveway.  The individual suffered a cracked skull.  The Special Investigations Unit was contacted and invoked their mandate.

INVESTIGATION

Special Investigations Unit Investigation

On October 27, 2010, the Director of the Special Investigations Unit advised Chief White that their investigation was now complete and that no further action would be taken.  S.I.U. Director Ian Scott stated in his correspondence:

“The investigation by this Unit has been completed, the file has been closed and no further action is contemplated.  In my view, there are no reasonable grounds to believe that the named subject officer committed a criminal offence in relation to the injuries sustained by the complainant. As best as can be determined, in the early hours of that day, the subject officer spoke to the individual, in the vicinity of the incident.  Shortly thereafter, the individual scaled a fence covered by vines.  On the other side of the fence was a 4.5 meter drop to the bottom of a parking garage entrance.

The individual fell, landing on a concrete surface, and sustaining severe head trauma as a result. There is no evidence that the subject officer is responsible for this individual’s decision to scale the fence in question. Accordingly, there is no nexus between the complainant's injuries and any acts of the subject officer and no criminal liability may attach.”

Professional Standards Section Investigation

Pursuant to section 11 of Regulation 673/98 of the Police Services Act, an investigation was conducted by the Professional Standards Section to determine if the policies of, or services provided by, the Ottawa Police Service were adhered to at the time of this incident, and to determine if the conduct of the police officers was appropriate.

The results are as follows:

Conduct:  No misconduct was identified.

Policies:  All policies were adhered to.

Service:  No service issues were identified.

CONCLUSION

No further action to be taken on this matter.

(Original signed by)

Vern White

Chief of Police