News Release
SIU Closes Investigation into Injuries Sustained by Man in Thamesford
Case Number: 13-PCI-079
Mississauga (4 April, 2013) --- Based on the Special Investigations Unit’s (SIU) preliminary enquiries into the injuries sustained by a 53-year-old man in Thamesford last week, SIU Director Ian Scott has terminated the investigation. The incident involving officers with the Ontario Provincial Police Ingersoll detachment occurred on Friday, March 29, 2013.
The investigation determined that on this date, officers attended a residence on Middleton Street in the early morning hours. Based on information received, the officers knocked on a bedroom door, identified themselves and told the male occupant he was under arrest. Moments later, the man plunged a knife into his left chest cavity. An ambulance was summoned and the man was taken to the London Health Sciences Centre where he underwent surgery for his wound.
Director Scott said, “Although the man suffered a serious injury, under the circumstances, and in particular the fact that his injuries were self-inflicted, there is patently nothing to investigate. I am closing this investigation.”
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