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REPORT RAPPORT |
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REPORT RAPPORT |
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DATE:
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25 June 2012 |
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TO/DEST:
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Executive Director, Ottawa Police Services Board |
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FROM/EXP:
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Chief of Police, Ottawa Police Service |
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SUBJECT/OBJET: |
REPORT ON S.I.U. INVESTIGATION – DEATH – MARCH 2012
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That the Ottawa Police Services Board receives this report for information.
The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) received a call from another police service requesting OPS attend an address to arrest an individual for a criminal offence. Officers attended the address, unsure whether the individual was at the address or not. Officers left the premises after a number of unsuccessful attempts to get a response at the door. The following day, officers were requested to attend the same residence by an individual who resided there, to enter and retrieve belongings. Officers entered the premises with the permission of that resident. Officers located the individual, deceased, of an apparent suicide, on the second floor of the premises.
The Special Investigations Unit was contacted and invoked its mandate.
Special Investigation Unit Investigation
“The file has been closed and no further action is contemplated. In my view, there are no reasonable grounds to believe that any involved officer committed a criminal offence in relation to the death of (the individual) in March 2012. All information gathered in this investigation points to the same conclusion: (the individual) took his own life by means of a drug overdose. By way of background, his spouse gave the police permission to enter their Ottawa residence. (The individual) was facing allegations of a criminal offender. They did so and discovered his lifeless body in an upstairs bedroom. He had left a suicide note and there was no trauma to the body. On these facts, there is simply no suggestion of criminality with respect to the actions of any officers involved in responding to this call.
Ian Scott
SIU Director”
Professional Standards Section Investigation
Pursuant to section 11 of Regulation 267/10 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: The allegation of misconduct was investigated pursuant to the Police Services Act.
This investigation confirmed that no misconduct was identified.
Policies: As per the requirements of the Ontario Police Services Act and its regulations, every Police Service shall have policies that provide direction for the delivery of policing services. In this matter a number of policies were reviewed including Arrest Policy and Criminal Investigations Policy. A review of the matter and all legislative and policy requirements related to this incident confirmed that all policies were adhered to.
Service: The Police Services Act confirms the mandate of the Police to attend to calls for service including calls to keep the peace while occupants retrieve personal belongings. The Ottawa Police Service responded to this call as per the mandate of the police service. No service issues were identified.
No further action to be taken on this matter
(original signed by)
Charles Bordeleau
Chief of Police
