News Release

News Release

SIU Concludes Investigation into Man’s Facial Fractures While in Custody of London Police

Case Number: 25-OCI-398   

Mississauga, ON (26 January, 2026) ---
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, found no reasonable grounds to believe a London Police Service officer committed a criminal offence in connection with the fractures suffered by a 35-year-old man while in custody. On October 2, 2025, the man, who was arrested for a stabbing, was escorted to a phone room to await a call from his counsel while at the police detachment.

A special constable attempted to subdue the man when he repeatedly banged his head and the phone receiver. They grappled when an officer pushed the man and punched him in the face. The man was treated in hospital for a fractured right cheekbone and eye socket.

Director Martino found the officer’s single punch, which ended the confrontation without need for additional strikes or the use of weapons, was reasonable and proportional with due consideration to the heightened dynamics inherent in physical conflicts.

Full Director’s Report (with Incident Narrative, Evidence, and Analysis & Director’s Decision): 

If you or someone you know has been negatively affected by an incident under SIU investigation and would like support, the Affected Persons Program is here to help. You can reach us at 1-877-641-1897. Support is free, confidential, and available 24/7, every day of the year.

The SIU is an independent government agency that investigates the conduct of officials (municipal, regional and provincial police officers, police officers with the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service, 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.

Kristy Denette, siu.media@ontario.ca
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES