News Release

News Release

SIU Concludes Investigation into Man’s Broken Nose During OPP Arrest in Penetanguishene

Case Number: 26-PCI-167   

Mississauga, ON (23 July, 2026) ---
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, found no reasonable grounds to believe an Ontario Provincial Police officer committed a criminal offence in connection with the fractured nose suffered by a 60-year-old man when he was punched during his arrest. On April 8, 2026, the man, who was highly intoxicated and belligerent, was arrested for damaging property at a residence in Penetanguishene.

The man approached the officer with his fists clenched and raised in the air and the officer pushed him backward. Director Martino found the officer momentarily placed his hands on the man’s neck to do so, but the video footage suggested the contact was not in the nature of a choke. Thereafter, the video footage showed that the man grabbed onto the officer’s vest as the two fell onto a recliner and the officer punched him twice in the face. Director Martino found the force used -- short punches delivered at far less than full strength -- was a reasonable tactic to overcome the man’s resistance.

While Director Martino accepted that one or both of the officer’s punches broke the man’s nose, there were no reasonable grounds to believe the injury was attributable to unlawful conduct on the part of the officer. 

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