News Release
Woman’s Injury a Result of Her Kicking Cell Door; SIU Discontinues Guelph Investigation
Case Number: 24-OCI-467
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has terminated an investigation into the serious injury suffered by a 34-year-old woman in November in Guelph.
In the morning of November 2, 2024, the woman was arrested and transported to the police station. While lodged in a cell, she repeatedly kicked at the cell door. The woman was subsequently taken to hospital and diagnosed with a fractured right foot.
Based on the SIU’s preliminary inquiries, including video footage that largely captured the events in question, Director Martino was satisfied the investigation should be discontinued. The video footage strongly suggested the woman broke her own foot when she struck the cell door – she was seen limping and examining her right foot shortly after that behaviour. On this record, it was evident that the woman was solely responsible for her injury. Accordingly, there being patently nothing to investigate as far as the potential criminal liability of any officer was concerned, 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.
Monica Hudon, siu.media@ontario.ca
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES