‘NO GOOD OUTCOME’
Police board chair, attorney general, mayor respond to SIU decision
The police service has taken a number of positive steps forward to reach out to the community and rebuild trust.
There is “no good outcome” of a probe by the Special Investigations Unit into the death of Abdirahman Abdi, the chair of the Ottawa Police Services Board says.
Coun. Eli El-Chantiry released a written statement Monday after the SIU announced criminal charges against Const. Daniel Montsion, who’s accused of manslaughter, aggravated assault and assault with a weapon.
“The board’s sympathies continue to rest with the family and friends of Mr. Abdi,” El-Chantiry says in the statement.
"Regardless of the SIU’s investigation, there is no good outcome — at the end of the day a man lost his life. What is important is how our police service continues to move forward and together with the community. The board appreciates all the community members and groups that have come forward to work with the police service. The police service has also taken a number of positive steps forward to reach out to the community and rebuild trust, including engaging with community leaders in the Somali community and the Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization, and working with their Community-Police Action Committee.
“There is still more work to be done. This has been very difficult on the community and the police service, but there is a lot to be learned from this incident. The board will continue to work with the police service and the community to ensure the vision of the Ottawa Police Service — to be a trusted partner in community safety — is upheld. Our police service is made up of dedicated and professional members who are committed to serving our community with dignity and respect. The board has full confidence in their ability to carry out their duties in an ethical and honourable manner.”
Attorney General Yasir Naqvi, who is also MPP for Ottawa Centre, released a statement expressing his condolences to “Abdi’s family and friends, the residents of 55 Hilda Street, and Ottawa’s Somali-Canadian community.
“His death was a sorrow that no family should ever have to experience, and I know that the community continues to be deeply affected.”
Naqvi said he wanted to “acknowledge the professionalism shown by the SIU team involved in this investigation,” adding that as attorney general he cannot comment on or become involved in any SIU investigation.
Mayor Jim Watson’s office said it would be inappropriate for the mayor to comment since the case is now before the court.
Residents of the neighbourhood where police arrested Abdi before he died will welcome progress in the investigation, according to the area councillor.
Kitchissippi Coun. Jeff Leiper, who represents the Hintonburg community where Abdi lived, said he has told his residents to let the SIU do its work.
With charges pending as a result of the probe, Leiper wouldn’t comment on how the community will react to news of a manslaughter accusation against an officer.
“The community will be pleased to see that it’s moving forward now,” Leiper said. “It was a long investigation.”