News Release

News Release

SIU Discontinues Owen Sound Investigation

Case Number: 25-PCI-474   

Mississauga, ON (19 February, 2026) ---
The Deputy Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Stacey O’Brien, has terminated an investigation into the serious injury suffered by a 23-year-old man in November in Owen Sound.

The man was arrested in the early morning of November 22, 2025, following a call to police from a staff member at the assisted living residence in which he resided, requesting assistance for the man who was experiencing a mental health emergency.  During this incident, the man walked to a side porch, where he climbed the handrail and either jumped or fell to the ground below. The man was taken to hospital and reportedly diagnosed with a fractured wrist.  

Based on the SIU’s preliminary inquiries, which included a review of video footage that captured the incident in parts, Deputy Director O’Brien was satisfied that the investigation should be discontinued. Efforts to speak with the man were unsuccessful, leaving an insufficient evidentiary foundation to proceed. Nevertheless, the available video evidence showed that the officers were approximately 50 to 60 metres away from the man at the time of his fall. In these circumstances, there was no basis to pursue potential criminal liability, and the file has been closed.

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.

Monica Hudon, siu.media@ontario.ca
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES