News Release
SIU Investigates Death in Timmins
Case Number: 06-OCD-132
Other News Releases Related to Case 06-OCD-132
On July 30, 2006, at about 8:55 p.m., a Timmins Police Service officer arrested Mr. Wesley for public intoxication in the area of Birch Street and Sixth Avenue in Timmins. He was taken to the police station and lodged in a cell. The following morning, officers had difficulty arousing Mr. Wesley and he was transported to Timmins and District Hospital.
Mr. Wesley passed away in hospital on August 2, 2006. A post mortem examination is scheduled for today in Toronto.
SIU investigators are probing what role, if any, the police played in all the circumstances surrounding Mr. Wesley's death. The investigation is continuing.
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