News Release
SIU Terminates Investigation into Interaction Between Man and Police Officers in Brampton
Case Number: 19-OCI-287
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has terminated an investigation into a November 2019 interaction that occurred in Brampton between a 31-year-old man and Peel Regional Police officers.
At approximately 4:15 p.m. on November 27, 2019, Peel Regional Police officers attempted to stop a vehicle in the area of Bramalea Road and Clark Road. In the course of the driver’s arrest, he was bitten by a police canine. He was taken to hospital for treatment.
SIU investigators reached out to the man on repeated occasions to enlist his cooperation, directly and via his counsel. However, the SIU is yet to hear back.
Director Martino said, “In the absence of a statement from the man, I am satisfied that there is an insufficient foundation at this time from which to proceed with an investigation. Indeed, the SIU cannot even be sure of its jurisdiction given its inability, without the man’s consent, to access his medical records. In the circumstances, the investigation is hereby discontinued, and the file is closed. Every consideration will be given to re-opening the investigation should the man and/or his counsel come forward in the future.”
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