News Release

SIU Investigation Continues into Custody Death Involving the Peel Regional Police Service

Case Number: 08-OCI-194   

TORONTO (22 September, 2008) --- The following is an update to the SIU news releases of September 17, 2008 and September 20, 2008 re: the custody death of 42-year-old Sean Reilly. Mr. Reilly went into medical distress after being tasered in the cell area of 12 Division on September 16th and died later in hospital.

A post-mortem has shown no anatomical cause of death. The pathologist has ordered toxicology tests at the Centre of Forensic Sciences in Toronto to assist in determining the exact cause of death.

The SIU investigation continues this week with ongoing interviews of subject and witness officers.

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
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES