News Release
SIU Terminates Investigation into Injuries Sustained by Man in Huron County
Case Number: 17-PVI-291
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Tony Loparco, has terminated an investigation into the October 2017 arrest of a 33-year-old man by Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officers from the Goderich Municipal detachment.
On October 6, 2017, police were investigating a man who was wanted on several outstanding warrants. At approximately 6:15 p.m., the man – who was operating a stolen vehicle – attempted to elude a roadblock in Howick Township by ramming two OPP vehicles. As a result, the man inadvertently entered into a ditch and his vehicle became disabled. He was arrested by OPP officers and taken to hospital. Peripheral information suggested the man sustained a fractured finger.
Despite attempts by SIU investigators to speak with the man, he refused to speak with investigators and would not consent to the release of his medical records.
Director Loparco said, “The SIU’s investigation could not determine the timing or source of the man’s injury. There was no evidence of a criminal offence committed by the police. As such, this investigation has been terminated.”
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