News Release
SIU Investigates Custody Death in Windsor
Case Number: 06-OCD-055
Other News Releases Related to Case 06-OCD-055
The Windsor Police Service notified the SIU that on April 5, 2006, at about 7:45 p.m., two officers were patrolling on Russell Street in Windsor. Officers ran a license plate check and identified a man sitting in a car with a suspended driver's license. The officers approached the man and were involved in a brief foot pursuit before apprehending him. The police were escorting the man back to the police cruiser when they noticed he was in medical distress. Emergency medical personnel were called and the man was taken to Hotel Dieu Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The SIU is investigating what role, if any, the police played in this man's death. Investigators have designated 2 subject officers and 1 witness officer from the Windsor Police. Anyone who witnessed this incident is asked to contact the SIU at 416-622-1886 or 1-800-787-8529.
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