A new report shows Black and Middle Eastern residents were overrepresented in Ottawa Police Service use-of-force incidents during 2022 [1].
The findings highlight persistent racial disparities in policing within Canada's capital, fueling demands for systemic reform and improved officer training to protect marginalized communities.
The data, which pertains to the 2022 calendar year [1], was released on June 18, 2026 [1]. According to the report, Black and Middle Eastern people were again disproportionately likely to be on the receiving end of police force [3].
Community leaders say these metrics are a direct result of systemic racism. Cesar Ndema-Moussa, president of North-South Development Roots and Culture Canada, said the statistics point directly to ongoing systemic racism within the municipality [2].
Advocates are now urging the police service to overhaul its approach to conflict resolution. Hector Addison, founder of the African Canadian Association of Ottawa, said the city needs immediate improvements to de-escalation training to stop these disappointing metrics [1].
The disparity in use-of-force incidents suggests that existing protocols have failed to eliminate racial bias in field encounters. Activists say the lack of adequate de-escalation training contributes to the higher frequency of force used against these specific demographic groups [1].
The report comes as part of a broader effort to track how race influences police interactions in Ontario. By documenting the overrepresentation of Middle Eastern and Black residents, community organizations aim to push for policy changes that prioritize communication over physical intervention.
“The statistics point directly to ongoing systemic racism within the municipality.”
The recurrence of these disparities in the 2022 data suggests that previous attempts to address systemic bias within the Ottawa Police Service have not yet produced measurable results. The focus on de-escalation training reflects a shift in community demands from general diversity awareness toward specific, tactical changes in how officers interact with Black and Middle Eastern residents.
