News Release
Sarnia Police Service Officer Charged with Assault Cause Bodily Harm
Case Number: 16-OCI-119
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A charge of assault cause bodily harm has been laid against a constable with the Sarnia Police Service.
An SIU investigation found the following:
- Shortly after 6:00 p.m. on May 12, 2016, Sarnia Police received a call for a disturbance at the intersection of Capel Street and Exmouth Street.
- There was an interaction between an officer and a 16-year-old female youth.
- The youth was taken to Bluewater Health, where she was treated for a broken arm.
As a result of the SIU investigation, the Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Tony Loparco, has reasonable grounds to believe the police officer committed the criminal offence of assault cause bodily harm.
Constable Anthony Vennettilli is now facing a charge of assault cause bodily harm, contrary to s. 267(b) of the Criminal Code of Canada.
The police officer is required to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice at the Sarnia Courthouse on August 2, 2016.
The matter is now properly before the courts. In consideration of the fair trial interests of the accused, the SIU will make no further comment.
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