News Release
No Criminal Wrongdoing Found in Relation to Huron County Apprehension of Man
Case Number: 19-PCI-166
On July 12, 2019, police were called to a residence in the Community of Vanastra, in Huron County, to assist paramedics who had attended to provide medical assistance to a 46-year-old man. Upon the arrival of police, they found the man to be highly intoxicated, combative, and belligerent. Based on comments made by the man, it was decided that he would be apprehended under the Mental Health Act. Following his apprehension, he was transported to hospital where he was diagnosed as having sustained a fracture to his right shoulder. The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has determined that there are no reasonable grounds to lay charges against an Ontario Provincial Police officer in relation to this case.
Full Director’s Report (with Incident Narrative, Evidence, and Analysis & Director’s Decision): https://www.siu.on.ca/en/directors_reports.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