News Release
SIU Closes Investigation into Falling Injury Sustained by Youth in Guelph
Case Number: 13-OCI-099
Other News Releases Related to Case 13-OCI-099
SIU Investigating Falling Injuries Sustained by Youth in Guelph
Mississauga (19 April, 2013) --- Based on the Special Investigations Unit’s (SIU) preliminary enquiries into the injuries sustained by a 14-year-old male in Guelph earlier this week, SIU Director Ian Scott has terminated the investigation. The incident, involving officers with the Guelph Police Service, occurred on Wednesday, April 17, 2013.
Two investigators and two forensic investigators from the SIU were assigned to probe the case. The SIU investigation determined that in the morning hours, the youth and a friend climbed onto the rooftop of a building located near Woolwich Street and Douglas Street. Upon seeing police on an adjacent rooftop, the individuals began to make their way back to the ground by climbing down a pipe attached to the side of the building. One of the youths made it down and was arrested. The second youth ignored an officer’s instructions and began to climb down the same pipe. Officers encouraged him to proceed slowly. About half way down, the youth lost his grip on the pipe and fell approximately 9 metres to the ground. He was transported to the Guelph General Hospital where he was diagnosed with broken heel bones to both of his feet.
As the police officer had nothing to do with the reason for the youth’s injuries, the SIU has terminated its 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