News Release
SIU Concludes Investigation into Custody Death in Guelph
Case Number: 05-OCD-137
The SIU was notified that on September 3, 2005, GPS officers entered a home at 4 Acorn Place in Guelph and found Mr. Mostafai-Simani dead. Four SIU investigators were assigned to probe the extent of police presence and involvement in Mr. Mostafai-Simani's death.
The SIU investigation revealed that on that date, a concerned family member called the GPS about Mr. Mostafai-Simani's well being. At 4:19 p.m., several uniform officers arrived at 4 Acorn Place and spoke with a friend of Mr. Mostafai-Simani. The man told police Mr. Mostafai-Simani was inside his home and threatening to harm himself if anyone tried to enter.
The police established a perimeter around the home and at about 4:28 p.m., a GPS officer made contact with Mr. Mostafai-Simani by phone. A trained crisis negotiator then took over and spoke with Mr. Mostafai-Simani about his problems from 5:58 p.m. until 6:25 p.m., when he suddenly hung up on the officer.
At 7:46 p.m., a command vehicle and members of the tactical unit arrived at the home. Two negotiators repeatedly tried by phone and bullhorn to re-establish contact with Mr. Mostafai-Simani. They were unsuccessful and at 10:00 p.m., police entered the home and found Mr. Mostafi had hanged himself.
Having reviewed all the available evidence, the Director Cornish stated, "There is no reasonable basis to believe that any member of the GPS did anything to cause or contribute to the death of this man. The officers involved in this incident were in a very difficult position and they appeared to follow their training in their efforts to deal with this situation and attempt to bring it to a peaceful resolution."
The SIU is an independent government agency that investigates the conduct of officials (police officers as well as special constables with the Niagara Parks Commission and peace officers with the Legislative Protective Service) that may have resulted in death, serious injury, sexual assault and/or the discharge of a firearm at a person. All investigations are conducted by SIU investigators who are civilians. Under the Special Investigations Unit Act, the Director of the SIU must
- consider whether the official has committed a criminal offence in connection with the incident under investigation
- depending on the evidence, cause a criminal charge to be laid against the official where grounds exist for doing so, or close the file without any charges being laid
- publicly report the results of its investigations