News Release

SIU Appealing for Witnesses to Kenora Arrest

Case Number: 18-PCI-382   

Other News Releases Related to Case 18-PCI-382

SIU Charges OPP Officer in Kenora Incident

Mississauga, ON (25 January, 2019) ---
The province’s Special Investigations Unit is investigating the circumstances surrounding an interaction that occurred between a 48-year-old man and an Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officer last month in Kenora.

Preliminary information suggests the following:
  • At approximately 3:30 a.m. on December 16, 2018, an OPP officer observed a vehicle traveling on Highway 17.
  • As a result of the officer’s interest in the vehicle, the driver pulled into the parking lot of a restaurant located at the intersection of Highway 17 and River Drive.
  • Following an interaction between the man and officer, the man was arrested and transported to the OPP Kenora detachment.
  • When the man complained of pain, he was transported to hospital where he was diagnosed with a serious injury.

At this time, two investigators have been assigned to this incident. One subject officer and eight witness officers have been designated.

The SIU is urging anyone who may have information about this investigation to contact the lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529 ext 1886. The Unit is also urging anyone who may have any video evidence related to this incident to upload that video through the SIU website.

If you or someone you know is an affected person in need of support, please call the Affected Persons Program General Referral Line at 1-877-641-1897 or click here for more information: siu.on.ca/en/apc.php

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

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