SIU absolves officer of wrongdoing in use of force, breaking complainant’s nose

The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) has cleared an Ottawa Police Service officer of any wrongdoing following the use of force on an alleged offender.

The incident occurred on the morning of Jan. 21 when police were called to the scene of an attempted break-and-enter.

By the time officers arrived on scene, the complainant had forced his way into the apartment of his ex-girlfriend and was allegedly brandishing a knife.

Two officers entered the building, one of whom drew a service firearm.

The officers gained entry to a room where they found the complainant and the victim. The subject officer attempted to place the complainant under arrest, but he refused to comply with demands. The officer then forcefully removed the complainant away from the victim.

The complainant continued to resist arrest in the hallway, where the officers began to use force, the SIU report details.

The subject officer delivered a strike to the complainant’s nose, which allowed the arrest to continue without any further incident.

The complainant was taken to hospital, where he was diagnosed with a broken nose. He was subsequently charged with several criminal offences.

As is the case with any incident where the actions of an officer may have resulted in death, injury, or other harm, the SIU stepped in to investigate.

The watchdog body determined there were no grounds to continue with any criminal charges against the subject officer.

“I am satisfied that the evidence does not establish reasonable grounds to believe that the Complainant was subjected to unlawful force,” the SIU Director stated. “The takedown in the hallway made sense. At the time, the officers would have had reason to believe that the Complainant was violent and in possession of a knife, having just broken into a home. Forcing the Complainant to the floor would better position the officers to more safely manage a combative and potentially armed individual.”

The Professional Standards Unit (PSU) also conducted an investigation to determine if the conduct of the police investigators involved was appropriate.

The PSU confirmed the officers were within the lawful execution of duty during the incident.