News Release

News Release

SIU Investigating Death in Kawartha Lakes

Case Number: 15-PCD-109   

Mississauga (18 June, 2015) --- Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) is continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of a 62-year-old man earlier this month.

Preliminary information indicates the following:

• On Monday, June 1, 2015 a man was lodged in a cell at the Kawartha Lakes Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) detachment. At approximately 3:30 a.m., the man fell and was injured. He was taken to Ross Memorial Hospital for treatment and returned to the detachment a couple of hours later;
• The man was released unconditionally in the morning;
• On Tuesday, June 2, 2015, OPP learned that the man had been taken via EMS to Ross Memorial Hospital the day before, and he had died in hospital.

Three investigators and one forensic investigator have been assigned to investigate this incident. Six witness officers and one subject officer were designated. Anyone who may have information regarding this case is asked to contact the Unit at 1-800-787-8529 Ext. 1806.

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