News Release

News Release

SIU Closes Investigation into Brantford Vehicle Injuries

Case Number: 12-OVI-060   

Mississauga (1 March, 2012) --- Based on the Special Investigations Unit’s (SIU) preliminary enquiries into the injuries sustained by 22-year-old Hillary Robertson in February, SIU Director Ian Scott has terminated the investigation. 

Brantford Police Service (BPS) reported that on February 21, 2012, at about 2:00 p.m., plain clothes officers were conducting surveillance on a vehicle operated by Mr. Richard Bomberry. Ms. Robertson was a passenger in the vehicle.  The officers approached Mr. Bomberry’s vehicle, which was parked in a lot in Brantford, and Ms. Robertson exited the vehicle. Mr. Bomberry reversed his vehicle and the open passenger’s door struck Ms. Robertson, knocking her to the ground.  BPS indicated that Mr. Bomberry fled the parking lot at a high rate of speed, driving at the officers.  One of the officers reacted by firing his pistol at Mr. Bomberry’s vehicle. 

Two investigators and one forensic investigator from the SIU probed the circumstances surrounding this incident.  The SIU did not investigate the shooting, as neither Mr. Bomberry nor Ms. Robertson suffered firearms injuries.  The SIU did, however, investigate the injuries sustained by Ms. Robertson as a result of her exiting the vehicle and being struck by the passenger door.  The Unit’s inquiries established that Ms. Robertson did not suffer a serious injury.  Given the Unit’s mandate, which is limited to serious injuries and deaths in cases involving police officers, there is nothing further to investigate.  Accordingly, the SIU investigation has been terminated. 

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