News Release
SIU Terminates Investigation in Welland
Case Number: 05-OCI-013
The SIU investigation determined that on that date, NRPS officers responded to a 911 disturbance call made from a home on McAlpine Avenue. When the officers arrived at the apartment door, a 39-year-old woman fell out of a bedroom window. The woman was treated at Hamilton General Hospital for multiple fractures and internal injuries.
Three SIU investigators were assigned to probe the circumstances surrounding the woman's serious injuries. Investigators interviewed witnesses who were in the apartment at the time the incident occurred and also reviewed police reports. The apartment was photographed, measured and a scene diagram was prepared.
Based on the evidence gathered to date the Director of the SIU, James Cornish, has exercised his discretion and decided to terminate the investigation. He stated, "Given the fact the police had just arrived at the residence, had no communications with the woman and were not in close proximity to her, there is patently nothing further to investigate."
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