As Ottawa police wrap up glove audit, here's what we know so far

Ottawa police are this week wrapping up an internal audit of all gloves issued to officers a move prompted by criminal charges laid against an officer in the 2016 death of Abdirahman Abdi.

It's unclear whether theaudit will ever be made public, but here's what we knowso far about the reinforced gloves used by some officers.

Police Chief Charles Bordeleauordered the glove auditafter aCBC News investigation found reinforced gloves worn by the constable charged in Abdi's death are being considered a weapon by Ontario's police watchdog, the Special Investigations Unit.

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Last week, Ottawa police CFO Jeff Letourneauinstructed inspectors to fill out a spreadsheet documenting the following about all force-issued gloves:

• The brand andmodel.
• Rationale for use.
• Which units/officers havethem.
• Who approved their purchase and use.
• Who purchased the gloves.
• And whether the gloves have hard knuckle protection or not.

The deadline for inspectors to submit the information to Letourneau was Wednesday.

A follow-up emailsent by another person specified information about any gloves officers purchased on their own, without the approval of their section supervisor, should not be included in the list.

8 types of gloves documented

The original email from Letourneau said the force's quartermaster responsible for outfitting officers with clothing and gear hasalready documented all gloves issued through that office, but that "several sections"within the forcehave purchased gloves "directly without going through [the quartermaster].

"I am asking each of you to review your respective directorates and document any gloves purchased directly by sections within your chain of command," the email reads.

Attached to the email is a spreadsheet containing the eight types of gloves already on file.

Two of them are reinforced withhardened knuckle plating and are issued to members of the motorcycle unitfor summer and winter crash protection,the spreadsheet reads. They're made by the motorcycle apparel companyRev'It!

The other gloves, which don't have hardenedplating,include winter gloves, bicycle gloves, leather search gloves, gloves with soft knuckle protection for officers with hand injuries, white cotton dress uniform gloves and disposable gloves to protect officers from viruses and blood.

The Oakley Standard Issue assault glovesthat sources say were worn by Const. Daniel Montsion in the confrontation with Abdi are not on the quartermaster's list.

Ministry wants copy ofaudit

Earlier this week, Ministerof Community Safety and Correctional Services Marie-France Lalondetold CBC Newsshe wants a copy of the Ottawa police glove audit and urged other police forces in the province to conduct their own audits.

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"I think all police services in Ontario should consider undertaking an equipment audit to ensure the 'use of force' guidelinescontinue to reflect the realities of front-line policing in the province," Lalonde said in a statement.

Prior to Lalonde'sstatement, ministryspokespersonBrent Rosstold CBC that "protective equipment, including gloves, helmets and vests, are not classified as weapons, and therefore do not require the minister's approval."

Bordeleausaid he wasn't contacted by Lalonde or the ministry about the request.

"If the ministry wishes to have a copy of the audit they can make that request to me directly, at which time it will be assessed,"Bordeleausaid in anemailto CBC News.