SIU Concludes Investigation into Ottawa Vehicle Incident

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Jan. 28 /CNW/ - The Director of the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), Ian Scott , has concluded that there are no reasonable grounds to believe an Ottawa Police Service (OPS) officer committed a criminal offence in connection with the injuries sustained by a 55-year-old man in November.

The SIU assigned three investigators and two forensic investigators to probe the circumstances surrounding this incident.

The SIU investigation determined that on November 6, 2009 , OPS officers attended a high priority call for a stabbing at a plaza located at 3781 Strandherd Drive in Ottawa . Clyde McMullen, who worked at the Shoppers Drug Mart in the plaza, decided to assist the police officers responding to the scene. He positioned himself in the middle of the roadway and stopped civilian vehicles, while attempting to direct police vehicles into the rear laneway off Strandherd Drive. In an effort to gain access to the crime scene, the subject officer tried to get around Mr. McMullen by slowly driving his police cruiser partly onto the sidewalk. Unfortunately, at the same time, Mr. McMullen stepped back toward the sidewalk, and his right leg ended up under the cruiser's right rear wheel. This resulted in a severe fracture of his right ankle.

Director Ian Scott said, "At the moment of the accident, there is no suggestion that the subject officer was driving in a dangerous or reckless manner. The most reasonable interpretation of the investigation is that while stepping backward, the complainant got his right leg caught under the rear wheel of the subject officer's cruiser. While the injury was a serious one, it would appear to be the result of an accident as opposed to any misconduct on the part of the subject officer."

The SIU is a civilian agency that investigates cases of serious injuries (including allegations of sexual assault) and deaths involving the police. Pursuant to section 113 of the Police Services Act, the Director of the SIU is mandated to consider whether a criminal offence has been committed by an officer(s) in connection with the incident under investigation and, where warranted by the evidence, to cause a criminal charge or charges to be laid against the officer(s). The Director reports the results of investigations to the Attorney General.

For further information: Monica Hudon, SIU Communications, Service des communications, UES, Telephone, No de telephone: [phone] or, ou 1-800-787-8529