Officers taunted, videotaped in wake of Abdirahman Abdi's death, says police chief

Ottawa's police chief says his officers have been taunted and videotaped since the arrest and death of Abdirahman Abdi, and he is urging residents to "take a step back" as the force works to rebuild their relationship with the city's Somali-Canadian community.

Charles Bordeleau toldOttawa Morning guest host Hallie Cotnam that there had been "a number of incidents" involving officers and members of the public since Abdi's fatal July24 encounter with police in the city's Hintonburg neighbourhood.

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"People are reacting right now, but I think we need to take a step back. And I know that the broad community, that's not what we want here in Ottawa," Bordeleau said on Friday.

"We have clearly demonstrated before that we can work together in times of crisis, in times of tragic incidents. And I'm reassured by the conversationsthat I've had with other community leaders that that can happen, and that will happen. They have my commitment to ensure that that takes place."

Bordeleau's comments come five days after the morning of July24, when police were called to the Bridgehead coffee shopon the corner of Wellington Street West and Fairmont Avenue after receiving reportsthat a man had groped awomaninside.

A witnesstold CBC News that patrons tried to restrainAbdi outsidethe coffee shop before police arrived. Officers thenfollowed Abdi on foot to his apartment on nearbyHilda Street, where he was arrested.

Witnesses said one officer beat Abdi with a baton and anotherpunched him in the head as people watched from the street and from apartment balconiesabove. He was also pepper sprayed.

Abdi had no vital signs when paramedics arrived on the scene. First responders performedCPR, and Abdiwas taken to hospital in critical condition, where he was later pronounced dead.

The province's Special Investigations Unit, or SIU,has now taken over the investigation.

Officers taking heat since arrest

In one specific encounter following Abdi's death, some20 to 30 people showed up to film and tauntOttawa police officers who were responding to a report of a collision,BordeleautoldOttawa Morning.

"[The officers] are holding their heads up andtaking the high road. They're not getting engaged in that," Bordeleau said.

"Frankly, that is not what our community needs right now."

Bordeleau acknowledged, however, that the confrontations are evidence there's been a shift in how his officers are being perceived in Ottawa since Abdi's death.

"This is a tragic incident, and it's involving members of the police service. It's impacting the Abdi family. And it's impacting the greater community. And we appreciate that, we understand that," he said.

"I know that they want answers, and that's why the SIU has been called in. It's important to allow that process to take place."

Bordeleausaid that community discussionsabout how police use force could certainly take placewhile the SIU carries out its investigation, although there could be "frustration" over limitations on what he can say about the events of July 24.

Not attending funeral

Abdi'sfuneral isset to be held Friday afternoonat the Ottawa Mosque.A family spokesperson has told CBC News that three levels of government, including Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson, will be in attendance.

Bordeleau said Friday that after "a lot of consideration"he decided he would not go.

"I've publicly expressed my condolences for the family. And one community leader, tomorrow, will be delivering those condolences personally," Bordeleau said.

Bordeleau said he along withmembers of the Ottawa Police Service and Eli El-Chantiry, the chair of the city's police board also met with members of the Ottawa Mosque earlier this weekand had a "very productive discussion."

He also bluntly denied that Abdi's arrest would have happened differently were he a white man.

"I have seen no evidence to support that claim, with the information that I have," said Bordeleau.