News Release

SIU Concludes Investigation in Bobcaygeon

Case Number: 05-PCI-180   

TORONTO (2 February, 2006) --- The Director of the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), James Cornish, has concluded there are no reasonable grounds to believe that an Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officer committed a criminal offence in relation to Terrance Rivers' serious injuries.

On November 22, 2005, the SIU was notified that an OPP officer from the Kawartha Lakes detachment was involved in an altercation with Mr. Rivers. As a result, both of them suffered non-life threatening laceration wounds. The SIU dispatched six investigators to look at the circumstances leading up to and surrounding the altercation.

The SIU investigation determined that on November 22, 2005, the OPP received information that Mr. Rivers, who was on probation, was possibly in violation of a court order. At 4:26 p.m., two officers were dispatched to the call at 10 Riverside Drive in Bobcaygeon. After speaking with Mr. Rivers, the officers decided that one officer would arrest Mr. Rivers while the other would investigate at a second apartment in the same building.

The officer was inside Mr. River's apartment when she told him he was under arrest for breach of recognizance. During the course of the arrest, the officer became involved in a physical struggle with Mr. Rivers. At 4:55 p.m., the officer activated the emergency alarm on her radio and shortly afterwards, the second officer entered the apartment to assist. Mr. Rivers was taken into police custody and taken to Ross Memorial Hospital where he was treated for a knife wound to his abdomen.

Having reviewed all of the available evidence, Director Cornish concluded the subject officer was fully justified in using lethal force on Mr. Rivers during this incident; fortunately no one was killed. The Director also said, "I would like to comment on the professionalism of the officer who came to the aid of the subject officer. He adjusted his behaviour quickly and adeptly to meet the situation at hand."

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