Inquest jury recommends body cameras for all Ottawa police front-line officers

An inquest jury examining the 2017 police shooting death of Raymond Alliman has recommended body-worn cameras for all front-line Ottawa police officers, along with faster inquiry timelines.

Alliman, 31, died on June 3, 2017, after exchanging gunfire with an Ottawa Police Service officer in a ByWard Market parking garage at 141 Clarence St. The inquest, conducted virtually over six days between August 10 and August 17, concluded Alliman died from a gunshot wound to the head and classified his death as a homicide.

The jury made four recommendations: the chief coroner's office should strive for timely inquests (this one took over nine years after Alliman's death); the Ontario Police College should collect data on the effectiveness of the province's 2023 Use of Force Model from relevant police services including Ottawa; and the Ottawa Police Service should deploy body cameras for all front-line officers, prioritizing those working alone and tactical officers while ensuring partnered units have at least one officer wearing a camera on duty or patrol.

Ottawa police have already begun deploying body-worn cameras as part of a phased rollout that started in November 2025, though cameras have not yet been issued to all front-line officers. The inquest jury's verdict was received August 17 by presiding officer Bonnie Goldberg.

Alliman had been identified as the suspect in two shootings earlier that day. He first shot and injured Bun Sim, then shot and killed Sim's friend, 43-year-old Terrence Phillips. Const. Aaron Reichert attempted to arrest Alliman while he was in a vehicle. Alliman entered a parking garage on Murray Street, where the two exchanged gunfire. Reichert fired nine times and struck Alliman. The SIU later concluded Reichert was justified in using lethal force against an armed homicide suspect who posed an "imminent danger."