SIU clears Ottawa police after ‘less-lethal firearm’ used in foot chase with man in August

Ontario’s police watchdog has found that Ottawa police committed no wrongdoing when a wanted man was struck with a ‘less-lethal’ projectile during an incident in the capital city’s downtown area in August.

On Aug. 1, 2023, members of the Ottawa Police Service (OPS) Tactical Unit were assisting the officers with the Service de police de la Ville de Gatineau as they were tracking a wanted suspect in the nation’s capital.

They located the individual in the area of Lisgar Street and attempted to arrest him. He fled on foot into a parking lot, discarding a loaded firearm. One of the tactical officers discharged an anti-riot weapon enfield (ARWEN), striking the 24-year-old man with a “foam-tipped projectile.”

He was taken to hospital where it was determined he had not suffered any serious injuries.

In his report, the director of the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), Joseph Martino said “based on the information received from the Gatineau police, and observations of a firearm dropping (by the suspect, who in the report is listed as the complainant) provided … reasonable grounds to believe the complainant had committed various offences.”

Martino said he is “also satisfied that the force used by police namely, a single less-lethal round fired by his launcher, was legally justified.”