News Release

SIU Investigates custody death in Bracebridge

Case Number: 08-PCD-049   

TORONTO (1 April, 2008) --- Two Investigators and one Forensic Investigator from the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) are probing the circumstances surrounding the death of a man who was in police custody.

The Bracebridge Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) contacted the SIU last evening at 7:50 p.m. to report the death of a 31-year-old Oshawa man. The man was in a cell when he went into medical distress. He was transported to Bracebridge hospital by ambulance. He was pronounced dead at 7:11 p.m.

The investigation is ongoing and at present five officers have been designated as witness officers.

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
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES