News Release

News Release

SIU Concludes Investigation into Man’s Broken Leg During Waterloo Police Arrest in Brampton

Case Number: 26-OCI-132   

Mississauga, ON (14 July, 2026) ---
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, found no reasonable grounds to believe a Waterloo Regional Police Service officer committed a criminal offence in connection with the fractured right leg suffered by a 46-year-old man during his arrest in Brampton. On March 21, 2026, officers were at a parking lot on Bramsteele Road to arrest men suspected in tractor trailer load thefts. The men tried to flee police in a Volkswagen sedan and pickup truck, striking police vehicles in the process. 

An officer smashed the window of the sedan with a baton and discharged a conducted energy weapon at the male driver unsuccessfully. The driver was forced out of the sedan and taken to the ground where he was struck several times by officers and handcuffed. Paramedics took the man to hospital for treatment of a fractured right femur.

Director Martino concluded that the man was endangering the lives of the officers while trying to use his vehicle as a weapon and that it was imperative he was immediately stopped. 

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