News Release
Chatham-Kent Police Officer Charged
Case Number: 11-OCI-194
Mississauga (25 November, 2011) --- The Director of the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), Ian Scott, has reasonable grounds to believe that an officer with Chatham-Kent Police Service (CKPS) committed a criminal offence in relation to injuries sustained by a 29-year-old man. Director Scott has caused a charge to be laid against the officer.
The incident occurred on September 25, 2011. At approximately 11:00 p.m., an officer responded to a Wellington Street East address in Chatham and proceeded to arrest the 29-year-old man. The man sustained serious injuries to his facial area during the course of the arrest.
As a result of the SIU investigation, Constable Christopher Robb of the CKPS is facing one charge of Assault Causing Bodily Harm, contrary to s. 267(b) of the Criminal Code of Canada.
The officer is required to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice at 425 Grand Avenue West in Chatham on January 10, 2012. The Justice Prosecutions branch of the Ministry of the Attorney General will have carriage of the prosecution.
As this matter is now before the courts, and in consideration of the fair trial interests of the charged officer and the community, the SIU will make no further comment pertaining to this investigation.
If you or someone you know has been negatively affected by an incident under SIU investigation and would like support, the Affected Persons Program is here to help. You can reach us at 1-877-641-1897. Support is free, confidential, and available 24/7, every day of the year.
The SIU is an independent government agency that investigates the conduct of officials (municipal, regional and provincial police officers, police officers with the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service, 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