News Release
SIU Terminates Investigation into Cornwall Interaction as No Serious Injury was Sustained
Case Number: 19-OCI-283
The Interim Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has terminated an investigation into an interaction that occurred last month in a hospital between Cornwall Police Service officers and a 62-year-old man.
On November 21, 2019, Cornwall Police Service officers attended the Cornwall Community Hospital to assist with an unwanted person. When the person of interest – a 62-year-old man – refused to leave the hospital, he was arrested. On November 25, 2019, the SIU was made aware by the police service that the man had reportedly sustained fractured ribs during the course of the arrest.
Interim Director Martino said, “Based on the SIU’s preliminary inquiries, which included a review of the man’s medical records, it is apparent that the man did not, in fact, sustain broken ribs as had been reported. Consequently, as there is no “serious injury” for purposes of the SIU’s mandate, the SIU is without jurisdiction to investigate the matter. The investigation is therefore discontinued and the file, closed.”
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