News Release

SIU Investigates Custody Injury of Man in Hamilton

Case Number: 10-OCI-096   

Other News Releases Related to Case 10-OCI-096

Hamilton Police Officer Charged

Mississauga (7 June, 2010) --- As a result of new information received by the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) regarding injuries sustained by a 58-year-old Hamilton man, first brought to the Unit's attention on May 7, the SIU has taken jurisdiction of the investigation. The Hamilton Police Service (HPS) reported the following information to the SIU:

* On May 4, 2010, the HPS drug unit executed a drug warrant at a Hamilton apartment.
* There was an interaction between officers and apartment resident Po La Hay, and he sustained injuries.
* Officers soon learned that they had entered the wrong apartment, and transported Mr. Hay to hospital where he received treatment.

At the time of the incident, the reported injuries did not fall under the SIU's mandate, and the Ontario Provincial Police began an investigation into the matter. However, the HPS recently learned that Mr. Hay sustained a serious injury during the interaction, and thus the SIU has commenced an investigation.

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