News Release
SIU Closes Investigation into Falling Injuries Sustained by Man in Walkerton
Case Number: 13-PCI-184
Mississauga (9 August, 2013) --- Based on the Special Investigations Unit’s (SIU) preliminary enquiries into the injuries sustained by a 29-year-old male in Walkerton at the end of July, SIU Director Ian Scott has terminated the investigation. The incident involved officers with the Ontario Provincial Police South Bruce detachment.
The SIU investigation determined that in the morning hours of Tuesday, July 30, 2013, OPP officers attended an apartment building on Jackson Street in response to a trespass call. Upon arrival, police officers knocked on the door of a 3rd-floor apartment unit. A woman opened the door, but denied the presence of the alleged trespasser. While at the door, officers heard a window open. They entered the apartment, went to the open window and observed a man injured on the ground below. In an attempt to evade police, the man had exited the window with the intention of descending to a second floor landing, but instead lost his grip and landed on the concrete sidewalk. He was taken to Walkerton Hospital and later transferred to Victoria Hospital for treatment of injuries to his ankles and left wrist.
As the police officer had nothing to do with the reason for the man’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