News Release
SIU Lays Charge against Officer in Relation to Parry Sound Incident
Case Number: 16-PCI-170
Other News Releases Related to Case 16-PCI-170
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Tony Loparco, has caused a charge to be laid against an Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officer in relation to a June 2016 incident.
The SIU investigation found the following:
- On June 20, 2016, a police officer with the OPP’s West Parry Sound detachment was dispatched to an address on Albert Street in Parry Sound to arrest a 39-year-old man.
- During the arrest, there was an interaction between the officer and the man. The man sustained an injury that required treatment.
As a result of the SIU investigation, Constable Brandon Catcher is now charged with assault causing bodily harm, contrary to section 267(b) of the Criminal Code.
The officer is required to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice at 89 James Street in Parry Sound on December 15, 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