News Release

SIU Concludes Investigation into Woman’s Death Following Arrest in Barrie

Case Number: 24-OCD-210   

Mississauga, ON (7 May, 2025) ---
On May 18, 2024, a 28-year-old woman passed away while in hospital. As she had lapsed into medical crisis the evening before following her arrest by a Barrie Police Service (BPS) officer and a period in the custody of the OPP, the SIU was notified of the incident and initiated an investigation. A BPS officer was identified as the subject official. On his assessment of the evidence, SIU Director Joseph Martino determined there were no reasonable grounds to believe that the officer committed a criminal offence in connection with the woman’s death. 

Full Director’s Report (with Incident Narrative, Evidence, and Analysis & Director’s Decision): https://www.siu.on.ca/en/directors_reports.php.

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