News Release

News Release

SIU Concludes Investigation into Woman’s Broken Nose During Arrest in Newmarket

Case Number: 26-OCI-001   

Mississauga, ON (29 April, 2026) ---
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, found no reasonable grounds to believe a York Regional Police officer committed a criminal offence in connection with the fractured nose suffered by a 40-year-old woman during her arrest. On January 1, 2026, shelter staff called police about a disturbance involving the woman. The woman refused to leave the shelter and was there in contravention of a term of her release from an earlier incident at the facility that had resulted in charges. During her arrest, the woman flailed and struggled against the officer’s efforts to handcuff her. Two additional officers arrived and handcuffed her. Following her arrest, the woman was transported to hospital and diagnosed with a broken nose.

Director Martino concluded that the officer never struck the woman and the takedown that occurred was more in the nature of the parties rolling off a sofa to the floor. On this record, he was satisfied that the officer comported himself reasonably in his dealings with the woman.

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