FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, December 19, 2024, 12:51 p.m.
Ottawa — The coroner’s inquest into the tragic death of Abdirahman Abdi, which began on November 18, has just been concluded. On December 17, the jury rendered a decision with recommendations, which the Ottawa Police Service (OPS) is currently reviewing.
“As we take the time to review all of the recommendations, it is clear that they provide valuable insights to help us become a better and more accountable police department. We are committed to learning from this investigation, improving our methods, and building trust in the communities we serve,” said Chief Eric Stubbs. “Mr. Abdi’s death has caused tremendous pain to his family, friends, and the community. Rebuilding our ties with the Somali community is a priority, both for me and for the OPS team. We are working to take concrete steps to get there through serious dialogue, authentic partnerships, and collective action. »
Mr. Abdi, 38, died in an Ottawa hospital on July 25, 2016, following his arrest by officers on July 24, 2016. Under the Coroners Actthe investigation into Mr Abdi’s death was mandatory, in order to examine the circumstances surrounding it and to prevent further deaths.
We recognize that this has been a long and difficult journey for Mr. Abdi’s loved ones, who continue to mourn his death, as well as for the community and our police service. We deeply sympathize with Mr. Abdi’s family and community over this immense loss.
With great empathy and respect for all parties involved, we remain committed to bringing healing and rebuilding trust through ongoing dialogue, partnerships, and collective action, as well as to advancing our relationships.
The OPS participated fully in the investigation, with transparency and a sincere interest in sharing the collaborative work accomplished over the past eight years to respond to community feedback and recommendations.
Through several days of testimony, we were able to provide an overview of more than thirty partnership projects aimed at fundamental changes to improve service delivery, including a new community policing model, strategies and programs relating to human rights, and mandatory training focused on anti-Black racism, trauma-informed mental health approaches, de-escalation of use of force.
The OPS will allocate resources to the Police-Community Equity Council and other community partners to jointly develop a comprehensive mental health strategy that addresses the recommendations received.
We recognized the work that remains to be done and remained attentive to learning opportunities to continue improving our training, policies, methods, and other practices. The survey will have highlighted a host of opportunities for continuous improvement, within the police and elsewhere.
During the proceedings, it also became apparent that a report to the Ottawa Police Service Commission (OPSC) under section 11 had been overlooked. The OPS recognizes the importance of Section 11 reporting in ensuring transparency and accountability to the CSPO and is committed to complying with this crucial approach in the future.
The investigation resulted in several recommendations from the jury aimed at improving interactions between police and people experiencing mental health issues as well as addressing concerns about racism and the intersectionality of these issues.
We have taken several collaborative steps in this area, and we know that we have much more to do.
The OPS will work closely with the Police-Community Equity Council (CEPC) and other community partners to develop local action plans focused on improving service delivery and building relationships with various communities we serve. We are aware of our troubled relations with the Somali community, and we will continue to rebuild trust through dialogue, collaboration, and concrete actions.
The OPS is committed to continuing collaborative work on human rights as part of our DEVENIR Strategy2 2023-2027 and the Commission’s strategic directives. Important collaborative initiatives planned for 2025 were presented at the inquiry, including a new Community Review Committee, an anti-racism policy and training reviews, alternatives to the use of force and interventions in mental health, and much more.
Implementation of other investigation recommendations and local action plans will be led by a member of the Ottawa Police who will ensure the development of an OPS mental health strategy leading to improvements training to achieve increased capacity. This important step will be aligned and incorporated into our ongoing human rights work, which is presented to the Commission every six months.
We greatly appreciate the hard work the jury did throughout the investigation, including making the recommendations. The OPS reiterates its determination to continue to learn, evolve, and collaborate with the community for a safer and more equitable city for all.
To learn more about our current action plans and strategy, or to get involved, please visit ottawapolice.ca/DRIVETWO.
Community wellness resources are also available by calling 211.
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Through the Community Safety Data Portal data.ottawapolice.ca, members of the public can view, download, and interact with data shared by the Ottawa Police Service.
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