News Release

SIU Concludes Investigation in Chatham

Case Number: 06-OSA-172   

TORONTO (23 November, 2006) --- James Cornish, the Director of the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), has concluded there is no reasonable basis to believe that a Chatham-Kent Police Service (CKPS) officer committed the offence of sexual assault.

On October 12, 2006, the SIU was notified by the CKPS of a third party allegation wherein it was alleged that a CKPS officer had sexually assaulted two women on August 25, 2006.

Two SIU investigators determined the officer was on duty on August 25th when he picked up two women and gave them a ride in his police cruiser. It was also determined that there was only one woman who was allegedly assaulted.

After a careful review of the investigation, Director Cornish stated, "In all of the circumstances, including the lack of cooperation of the principle complainant, there is no reasonable basis to support a criminal charge in this matter."

The SIU has issued a final news release detailing the completed investigation into this sexual assault allegation due to the publicized nature of the complaint and the significant amount of media coverage on this particular incident.

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
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES