News Release
Injury Incurred Prior to Police Arrival; SIU Discontinues Mississauga Investigation
Case Number: 24-OCI-386
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has terminated an investigation into the serious injury suffered by a 19-year-old male in September in Mississauga.
On September 13, 2024, Peel Regional Police officers were called to the area of Hurontario Street and Highway 403 following reports of a male behaving strangely in public. He had earlier consumed an illicit substance, and was delusional and paranoiac. The male fought with police but was taken into custody following the deployment of conducted energy weapons by officers on scene. At hospital following his arrest, he was diagnosed with a broken nose.
Based on the SIU’s preliminary inquiries, including a review of video footage that captured the incident in part, Director Martino was satisfied the individual’s injury was incurred prior to police arrival. On this record, it was apparent the police did not cause the serious injury. As such, the SIU was without statutory jurisdiction to continue with an investigation. The file has been closed.
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.
Kristy Denette, siu.media@ontario.ca
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES