News Release
SIU Concludes Investigation into Man’s Injuries Suffered During Arrest in Belleville
Case Number: 24-PCI-341
The Special Investigations Unit found no reasonable grounds to believe an Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officer committed a criminal offence in connection with the serious injuries of a 33-year-old man during his arrest in Belleville. On August 13, 2024, OPP officers, after consulting Belleville Police Service, sought to take the man into custody on a warrant.
The man attempted to flee, climbing over the driver in his vehicle attempting to escape through the front driver’s door. An officer and the man wrestled, and the officer tossed his firearm. The subject officer kneed and punched the man several times in the upper body before he was subdued and secured in handcuffs.
Director Martino found the evidence of the force brought to bear by the police fell short of excessive. He concluded that the man had proven a formidable challenge and there was some urgency to subduing him as quickly as possible given the firearm on the driveway in close proximity.
The man was diagnosed with a punctured lung and right-sided rib fracture.
Full Director’s Report (with Incident Narrative, Evidence, and Analysis & Director’s Decision):
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
Lisez ce communiqué en français.
Monica Hudon, siu.media@ontario.ca
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES