Watchdog investigates Ottawa police ‘interaction’ on Walkley Road

Watchdog investigates Ottawa police ‘interaction’ on Walkley Road

by

Ontario police watchdog is investigating after an Ottawa Police Service officer fired a weapon at a man with a sword during an incident at a residence on Walkley Road on Wednesday afternoon.

The Special Investigations Unit issued a news release saying that preliminary information on the case suggested that an individual reported a distance at an address in the 1800 block of Walkley Road in the southeast region of the city.

Outside the residence, the statement added, officers found a 44-year-old man with a sword. In the ensuing interaction, two officers discharged their conducted energy weapons, commonly known as Tasers, at the man, while another officer discharged the firearm at him.

The man was not injured by the gunshot, but was later taken to hospital.

The SIU also said that tthree investigators and a forensic investigator had been assigned to the case. he urged anyone with information about the investigation, including video or photos, to contact the principal investigator by phone at 1-800-787-8529 or online at https://siu.on.ca/en/appeals.php Web page.

The Ottawa Police Service posted online that the incident occurred shortly after 2 p.m.

“After the police interaction, (the Special Investigations Unit) invoked its mandate,” a police post said shortly after 6 p.m.

Police initially said that parts of Walkley Road and St. Laurent Boulevard would be closed during the investigation. Walkley’s westbound lanes were closed at Conroy Road, while St. Laurent Boulevard was closed westbound between Conroy Road and Don Reid Drive.

Another post around 8 p.m. indicated that all roads in the area had been reopened.

A large Ottawa Police investigation was held at 1883 Walkley Rd. in Ottawa on Wednesday afternoon. A police officer examines some evidence on Wednesday.
A large Ottawa Police investigation was held at 1883 Walkley Rd. in Ottawa on Wednesday afternoon. A police officer examines some evidence on Wednesday. Photo by Tony Caldwell /postmedia

A photographer for this newspaper counted about a dozen Ottawa police vehicles parked near a residence in the 1800 block of Walkley, near Ryder Street, just before 5 p.m.

In the driveway of the house were three overturned Dairy Queen Blizzard glasses, a pair of jeans, and a black belt.

Stephanie Mills of the Ottawa Paramedic Service said paramedics were involved in the police operation. She said that she could not provide further comment as the incident was still under investigation.

The SIU is an independent government agency that investigates the conduct of officials (police officers and special agents from the Niagara Parks Commission and law enforcement officers from the Legislative Protection Service) that may have resulted in death, serious injury, sexual assault and/or the discharge of a firearm against a person.

With files from Tony Caldwell.

Ottawa police officers and their vehicles were near a residence in the 1800 block of Walkley Road Wednesday afternoon.
Ottawa police officers and their vehicles were near a residence in the 1800 block of Walkley Road Wednesday afternoon. Photo by Tony Caldwell /postmedia
Three Dairy Queen mugs were used to mark the evidence on Wednesday.
Three Dairy Queen mugs were used to mark the evidence on Wednesday. Photo by Tony Caldwell /postmedia
A large Ottawa Police investigation was held at 1883 Walkley Rd. in Ottawa on Wednesday afternoon.
A large Ottawa Police investigation was held at 1883 Walkley Rd. in Ottawa on Wednesday afternoon. Photo by Tony Caldwell /postmedia
Evidence at the scene Wednesday.
Evidence at the scene Wednesday. Photo by Tony Caldwell /postmedia
A large Ottawa Police investigation was held at 1883 Walkley Rd. in Ottawa on Wednesday afternoon.
A large Ottawa Police investigation was held at 1883 Walkley Rd. in Ottawa on Wednesday afternoon. Photo by Tony Caldwell /postmedia
Evidence at the scene Wednesday.
Evidence at the scene Wednesday. Photo by Tony Caldwell /postmedia
A pair of jeans with a black belt and a pair of Doc Martins are found on the ground at the scene Wednesday. On the left belt was a knife sheath.
A pair of jeans with a black belt and a pair of Doc Martins are found on the ground at the scene Wednesday. On the left belt was a knife sheath. Photo by Tony Caldwell /postmedia
A pair of jeans with a black belt and a pair of Doc Martins are found on the ground at the scene Wednesday. On the left belt was a knife sheath.
A pair of jeans with a black belt and a pair of Doc Martins are found on the ground at the scene Wednesday. On the left belt was a knife sheath. Photo by Tony Caldwell /postmedia
A large Ottawa Police investigation was held at 1883 Walkley Rd. in Ottawa on Wednesday afternoon.
A large Ottawa Police investigation was held at 1883 Walkley Rd. in Ottawa on Wednesday afternoon. Photo by Tony Caldwell /postmedia

Leave a Comment