News Release

News Release

SIU Updates Sarnia Investigation

Case Number: 07-OCI-052   

TORONTO (18 March, 2007) --- The condition of the 43-year-old man, who was involved in an incident involving the Sarnia Police Service on March 16, 2007, has improved. He is currently stable and conscious at Sarnia General Hospital.

On Friday evening, the man was involved in a confrontation with police officers. He was eventually subdued by officers and taken into police custody. A short time later, officers became aware that the man needed medical assistance and brought him to Sarnia General Hospital where he was admitted.

The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) has assigned six investigators to probe the nature and extent of police involvement in this incident.

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

SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES