Abdirahman Abdi family, Ottawa police board reach settlement

An agreement has been reached between the family of Abdirahman Abdi and the Ottawa Police Services Board regarding the civil action related to Abdi's death in 2016.

In a statement jointly issued Monday, both parties announced that they have come to a mutual agreement on the settlement.

“The Family, the Board, the Ottawa Police Service (OPS) and the community mourn the death of Mr. Abdi. The Board and OPS recognize the tragedy of Mr. Abdi's death as well as the need to respect the Family's healing process.”

The civil lawsuit was launched after Abdi's death, and originally sought for $1.5 million. The terms of the settlement are confidential.

The statement adds that both parties agree that changes must be made to the way police respond to individuals experiencing mental health events.

“The Abdi family is encouraged by the Board and OPS's stated intention to work in partnership with the community to develop and implement a new Mental Health Response Strategy to improve community safety and wellbeing for all residents of Ottawa and asks the community to work cooperatively in pursuit of this goal. Ensuring better future outcomes will be an important legacy of Abdirahman's life.”

The settlement comes months after an Ottawa police officer was acquitted of manslaughter and assault charges in connection with Abdi's death in July 2016.

An Ontario judge ruled in October that he couldn't conclusively say the blows Abdi suffered during his arrest significantly contributed to his death.

–with files from the Canadian Press