News Release

News Release

SIU Concludes Investigation into Man’s Fracture in Fall from Window in St. Catharines

Case Number: 25-OCI-402   

Mississauga, ON (26 January, 2026) ---
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, found no reasonable grounds to believe a Niagara Regional Police Service officer committed a criminal offence in connection with the pelvic fracture suffered by a 42-year-old man in St. Catharines. On October 6, 2025, officers went to a home in the area of Haig Street and Carlton Street following an unknown trouble call, the second 911 call from the man that day. The man was of unsound mind, having taken methamphetamine.

Officers attempted to speak to the man while he was locked inside his bedroom, and were asked to meet the man in the backyard when he jumped from an upstairs window landing on the patio below. Paramedics took the man to hospital.

Director Martino found no evidence either officer failed to comport herself with due care and attention for the man’s wellbeing.

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