Race-based use of force data released by Ottawa police; Black, Middle Eastern people see highest proportions

The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) released its annual use of force statistics for 2023.

The data shows there were 261 incidents last year where almost half (47 percent) involved displaying rather than applying force. 

The report from the OPS is set to be discussed at Monday’s Police Services Board meeting.

“Police officers have the authority to use force in the lawful execution of their duties,” the report on July 22 reads. “They also have a responsibility to use only the level of force reasonably necessary to bring an incident under control effectively and safely.”

Race-based data collected

Within the 261 incidents, there were 310 individuals involved. Black and Middle Eastern people continue to be among highest ratios in use of force incidents, the report notes.

The numbers suggest these races have been more likely to have force applied against them by police than other groups of people.

Use of force was used on 26 per cent of Black people, which make up only 8 per cent of the city’s population. Middle Eastern people make up 11 per cent of the use of force data, representing only 6 per cent of the population in the city.

Indigenous Peoples are 6 per cent of the data, with only four per cent of the nation capital’s population. 

In the incidents recorded, 18 people were injured by officers, of that, one person was fatally injured. The province’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) has cleared the police officers involved of any wrongdoing, the report states.

Officers noted the main reasons they used force or demonstrated it was to protect themselves (80 per cent), arrest someone (72 per cent) or protect other officers (55 per cent). 

Use of force numbers decreasing 

Over the years, OPS data shows use of force by officers has been trending down. In 2020 there were 1.58 times use of force was used per 1,000 dispatched calls. In 2023, that number dropped to 1.19 times.

The types of weapons or force used are also shifting.

In 2021 the most common use of force by an officer was drawing a handgun in 212 incidents. While it remains the most common in 2023, police are also drawing the guns much less at 111 times.

Police are using their conducted energy weapons less as well, with 193 incidents reported in 2021, compared to 133 in 2023.

Police are increasingly using physical control on people. In 2021 there were 66 incidents where officers used physical force, in 2023 that number increased to 102. 

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According to officials, the “vast majority” of calls are resolved with officers and communication.

“Use of Force is extremely rare; however, events in which police officers use force can have large impacts on individuals and communities,” the report notes.

The majority (80 per cent) of incidents involved one person but some (13 per cent) involved multiple individuals.

When police are called to a scene, they are more likely to use force in situations that involve weapons with 21 per cent of incidents representing that. 

“For example, officers can be called to a scene due to suspicion of an armed individual. Upon their arrival, they may draw their weapon while searching the premises, but they do not direct it toward anyone if the suspect is not found,” the report notes.

Due to the weapon being drawn, the incident is recorded in the use of force statistics.

The second most common type of incident where use of force was applied is in incidents where a person is in crisis or barricaded (18 per cent). 

Violent crime or active attacker makes up 13 per cent of the cases.