News Release

SIU Investigates Custody Death in Hartington

Case Number: 06-PCD-031   

Other News Releases Related to Case 06-PCD-031

SIU Concludes Investigation into Custody Death in Hartington

TORONTO (24 February, 2006) --- Five investigators from the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) are in Hartington today to probe the circumstances surrounding the death of a 44-year-old woman.

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) notified the SIU that officers from the Frontenac detachment executed a drug warrant at a South Frontenac home on February 24, 2006. As a result, a woman was arrested and lodged in a police cell at about 2:30 a.m. At about 2:50 a.m., she went into medical distress and was transported to Kingston General Hospital where she died.

A post mortem examination will be held later today in Kingston.

The SIU has designated five subject and five witness officers from the OPP. SIU investigators will be interviewing officers, examining the police cell and all other relevant records to determine the extent of police involvement in the woman's death.

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
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES