Full Breakdown
Ottawa Police Use-of-Force Data Shows Persistent Overrepresentation of Black and Middle-Eastern Residents
7/2/2026, 6:27:17 AM
Core Findings for 2025
The Ottawa Police Service responded to 227,000 calls for service in 2025 and recorded 298 distinct use-of-force incidents, affecting 363 individuals. Force was displayed or employed slightly more than once per 1,000 calls. Black people comprised 24.5 % of those subjects while representing only 8 % of Ottawa’s population, a more-than-three-fold overrepresentation. Middle-Eastern people accounted for 10.5 % of subjects versus 6 % of residents, a 1.8-fold disparity. Indigenous subjects numbered 11, with representation fluctuating over recent years.
Historical Context & Data Collection
Since 2020, officers filing use-of-force reports have been required to record the perceived race of each subject. The 2025 figures continue a six-year average trend, showing a 19 % rise in incidents from 2024 but aligning with longer-term patterns. The data will be presented to the Ottawa Police Service Board next week for review.
Detailed Data Breakdown
- Gender & Age: Males accounted for >95 % of subjects; the 25-35 age group was the largest.
- Weapon Perception: ?50 % of incidents involved a subject perceived to have a weapon, typically a knife or other blade.
- Firearms: Handguns were drawn in 143 incidents (pointed in 125), both higher than 2024; rifles were pointed in 31 incidents (down from 2024). Firearms were actually fired 3 times, up from 2.
- Conducted Energy Weapons: Deployed in 55 incidents (up from 49).
- Physical Control: Hard control used in 49 incidents (up from 46); soft control in 33 incidents (up from 29). Soft baton use rose to 4 incidents (from 2); hard baton use to 2 incidents (from 1).
- Other Uses: Police used weapons to end animal suffering in 26 incidents, usually after vehicle collisions.
The report notes that only methods of physical control resulting in injuries requiring medical attention are counted.
Official Statements & Responses
The police service emphasizes that the race-recording requirement, in place since 2020, aims to improve transparency. The forthcoming board presentation will examine the persistent disparities and consider policy adjustments. No formal response from senior police leadership is quoted in the released material.
Criticism & Opposition
Hector Addison, founder of the African Canadian Association of Ottawa, argues that the data reveal a systemic issue. He calls for immediate corrective action, stating that the police leadership must review and adjust practices to address the disproportionate impact on Black and Middle-Eastern communities.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We cannot continue to have these high numbers year on year,” — Hector Addison, Founder, African Canadian Association of Ottawa
- “Something has to be done. And I think the police leadership will have to sit down and see what's going on and correct course.” — Hector Addison, Founder, African Canadian Association of Ottawa
- “According to the report, the statistics only include methods of physical control that resulted in injuries that required medical attention.” — Ottawa Police Use-of-Force Report (2025)
- “The total number of Indigenous suspects was small, at 11, and they have fluctuated from overrepresented to underrepresented over the years.” — Ottawa Police Use-of-Force Report (2025)
Why It Matters
The overrepresentation of Black and Middle-Eastern residents raises concerns about equity, community trust, and the effectiveness of policing policies. Persistent disparities may prompt calls for independent oversight, revised training, and targeted outreach to mitigate bias and improve public safety outcomes.
What’s Next
The Ottawa Police Service Board will review the report next week, with expectations of discussing potential reforms to use-of-force protocols, data-collection practices, and community-engagement strategies. Ongoing monitoring will be essential to assess whether corrective measures reduce the identified disparities.
