News Release
SIU Concludes Investigation into Man’s Death Following Stay in Rockwood OPP Detachment Cell
Case Number: 24-PCD-298
Other News Releases Related to Case 24-PCD-298
SIU Investigating Death of Man who had Been Lodged in Police Cell in Rockwood
On July 10, 2024, a 36-year-old man died in hospital after being found in medical distress in police cells at the Rockwood OPP Detachment earlier that day. The SIU was notified of the death and initiated an investigation. The sergeant at the detachment with overall responsibility for the care of prisoners in the hours leading to the man’s medical crisis was identified as the subject official. The investigation is now concluded. On his assessment of the evidence, SIU Director Joseph Martino determined there were no reasonable grounds to believe that the sergeant committed a criminal offence in connection with the man’s death.
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