News Release
SIU Discontinues Investigation into Woman’s Fentanyl Overdose in St. Thomas Cell
Case Number: 24-PCI-465
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has terminated an investigation into a 27-year-old woman who was admitted to hospital for a drug overdose while in Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) custody in Elgin County last October.
Based on the SIU’s preliminary inquiries, including a statement from the woman and a review of police records, Director Martino was satisfied the investigation should be discontinued. The woman was arrested the early morning of October 29, 2024, on the strength of outstanding warrants. She was transported to the OPP detachment in St. Thomas and lodged in a cell at about 2:47 a.m. Unknown to police, the woman had consumed fentanyl prior to her arrest. At about 6:36 a.m., she began to vomit in her cell. An ambulance was called, arriving at the detachment at about 7:10 a.m. The woman was taken to hospital and treated for a fentanyl overdose.
On this record, Director Martino was satisfied there was no genuine issue regarding any want of care on the part of police contributing to her medical event. The record shows the woman was checked regularly and medical attention was summoned promptly. As such, there being patently nothing to investigate as far as the potential criminal liability of any police officer, 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