Military police in Ottawa took over six hours to respond to a wellness check request for a defence intelligence analyst, Master Cpl. Shaun Orton, who died by suicide in 2024. The incident has led to a public hearing by the Military Police Complaints Commission (MPCC) due to concerns over the handling of mental health calls by military police.
Upon arrival, military police did not perform CPR on Orton, believing it was too late to save him. Ottawa police arrived shortly after and attempted to resuscitate him, but Orton was later pronounced dead at the hospital.
Orton’s wife, Sarah, criticized the delayed and inadequate response by military police, citing a military police order that mandates efforts to preserve life unless death is clearly evident. The hearing also revealed systemic issues within the military police, including understaffing and unclear directives on wellness checks.
The military watchdog will determine if misconduct occurred and make recommendations to enhance military policing in Canada.
Sarah Orton had requested a wellness check on her husband after receiving concerning messages from him. Despite her repeated calls for help, military police initially did not respond, citing protocol that requires indication of self-harm plans. Eventually, Ottawa police intervened following persistent requests from Sarah and the involvement of a crisis worker.
The public hearing is ongoing, investigating the circumstances surrounding Orton’s death and the actions taken by military police. The MPCC aims to address the systemic challenges faced by military police in responding to mental health crises.
If you or someone you know is struggling, several helplines and resources are available for immediate support.
