News Release
SIU Concludes Investigation into Woman Injured During Apprehension in Brantford
Case Number: 24-OCI-433
The Special Investigations Unit found no reasonable grounds to believe a Brantford Police Service officer committed a criminal offence in connection with serious injuries suffered by a 58-year-old woman. On October 10, 2024, officers attempted to apprehend the woman under the Mental Health Act at her residence in the area of Terrace Hill Street and St. Paul Avenue.
More than two hours after police arrived at the residence and failed attempts to negotiate, the officers forced entry into the residence. The woman attempted to flee upstairs when an officer grabbed her shirt from behind. The woman attempted to press forward as she was held back. She tumbled down and was handcuffed. The woman was taken to hospital where she was diagnosed with a broken wrist and left knee. She was admitted for psychiatric assessment.
Director Joseph Martino concluded it was imperative officers apprehend the woman as soon as possible lest she have an opportunity to harm herself. This was particularly imperative as she was seen earlier with a screwdriver and had opened a kitchen drawer as she fled from officers. While Director Martino accepted that the woman was injured when she fell down several stairs, he found no reasonable grounds to believe her injuries were attributable to unlawful conduct on the part of the officer.
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