News Release

News Release

SIU Appealing for Witnesses to Custody Injury in Hamilton

Case Number: 14-OCI-142   

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Mississauga (3 July, 2014) ---
Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) is appealing for witnesses to an interaction involving officers with the Hamilton Police Service (HPS) and a 44-year-old man in Hamilton. 

Preliminary information indicates the following: 
  • On Tuesday, July 1, 2014, at approximately 9:00 p.m., HPS officers responded to a call in relation to an intoxicated man in the area of Stinson Street and Erie Avenue.
  • The man was on a Hamilton Street Railway bus (HSR) and was reportedly fighting with other passengers. 
  • During the process of arrest and the resulting interaction, the man suffered a fractured femur and ankle. 

The SIU has assigned two investigators and one forensic investigator to probe the circumstances of this incident. SIU investigators would like to speak with anyone who may have been riding the HSR between 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm on July 1, 2014 and who may have witnessed the incident around Stinson Street and Erie Avenue. Witnesses are asked to contact the lead investigator at 416-622-2150 or 1-800-787-8529 extension 2150.

If you or someone you know is an affected person in need of support, please call the Affected Persons Program General Referral Line at 1-877-641-1897 or click here for more information: siu.on.ca/en/apc.php

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