SIU clears Ottawa police officer after man who fled arrest fell, suffered brain bleed

Ontario’s police watchdog is investigating after an Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officer discharged his firearm at a 36-year-old man in northern Ontario on September 20, 2024. The Ontario Special Investigations Unit Crest is pcitured. (File photo/CTV News)

Ontario’s police watchdog has cleared an Ottawa Police Service officer after a man was seriously injured during an arrest in April.

According to the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), Ontario Provincial Police called in Ottawa police for assistance arresting a man who was wanted on several warrants on April 1, 2026. Ottawa police officers arrived in the area of Elgin Street and Somerset Street West and arrested the man at around 3:40 p.m., handcuffing him behind his back.

The SIU says the man broke free from officers a short time later and ran away. When one of the Ottawa police officers caught up with him and grabbed him by the arm, both fell to the ground. The man was taken to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with a skull fracture, brain bleed and nasal fracture.

In a report released Wednesday, SIU Director Joseph Martino said the evidence suggests the officer was not in the wrong and no charges would be laid.

“It is unclear whether the fall leading to the Complainant’s injuries was the result of an intentional tackle by the SO (Subject Official), or the Complainant losing his footing when the officer took hold of his right arm,” Martino wrote.

He said if the man was tackled, police would be within their rights to subdue him, given that he had already been arrested and handcuffed and had tried to escape.

“The Complainant’s flight from police would have given the SO reason to believe he would physically resist the officers once they caught up to him. Placing him on the ground in a position of disadvantage would position the officers to better deal with that prospect,” Martino said.

The man, however, might have simply fallen, which Martino said could be attributed to the man losing his balance because he was running away with his hands cuffed behind his back.

The SIU reviewed video footage from a nearby business, spoke to a civilian witness and reviewed notes from Ottawa police and OPP witness officers. The subject officer declined to be interviewed or provide his notes to the SIU, which is his legal right.

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