No charges laid by SIU against Ottawa Police Officer

The SIU has determined an Ottawa police officer who tased a 29-year-old suspect during an arrest will not be charged. 

On March 10, 2019, two Ottawa police officers were on patrol in the ByWard Market, when they were flagged by a passerby saying a man in the area of Dalhousie and Murray streets had assaulted several people. 

The two officers caught up with the suspect on foot, and a struggle ensued during the arrest. One of the officers then tased the man while he was on the ground.

Following the use of the taser, the officers were able to secure the suspect with handcuffs.

The 29-year-old sustained serious injuries during the altercation with police and was taken to hospital, where it was determined the suspect had sustained a fractured rib and sternum.

After the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the arrest, Joseph Martino, interim director of the Special Investigations Unit said in a release that he was satisfied the tactic was a reasonable one in the circumstances.

The SIU investigates reports involving police where there has been death, serious injury or allegations of sexual assault.