News Release
SIU Appeals for Witnesses in Niagara Death
Case Number: 07-OCD-145
Other News Releases Related to Case 07-OCD-145
SIU Investigates Death in Niagara
SIU Concludes Investigation into Custody Death Involving Niagara Regional Police
At approximately 5:30 a.m. on July 25, Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) officers responded to an emergency call from Mr. Rotolo. He was near Bender Street and Ontario Avenue in Niagara Falls and claimed that people were chasing him. Several officers responded to the call and became involved in an altercation with Mr. Rotolo.
The SIU is requesting the assistance of the public in locating the workers who were in two separate white utility vans with booms. The vans were parked at Bender Street and Ontario Avenue, in front of the Niagara Gateway Motel, and had some lettering on the side. SIU investigators would like to speak with these workers as they may have information about this incident. Investigators also continue to ask for anyone who witnessed this incident, or who can identify the workers described above, to contact the Unit at 1-800-787-8529 x 1965 or 416-622-1965.
If you or someone you know has been negatively affected by an incident under SIU investigation and would like support, the Affected Persons Program is here to help. You can reach us at 1-877-641-1897. Support is free, confidential, and available 24/7, every day of the year.
The SIU is an independent government agency that investigates the conduct of officials (municipal, regional and provincial police officers, police officers with the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service, 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