News Release
SIU Terminates Investigation into Arrest of Man in Timmins
Case Number: 20-OCI-007
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has terminated an investigation into the November arrest of a 36-year-old man. The SIU became aware of the incident on January 10, 2020.
At approximately 5 p.m. on November 28, 2019, the Timmins Police Service sealed off Spruce Street North between 5th Avenue and 6th Avenue to conduct an investigation. A man attempted to enter the sealed off area to access his property, but was prevented from proceeding by police officers. When he continued to try, he was arrested for obstruction. The man complained of pain following his arrest and was taken to hospital for treatment.
Director Martino said, “Based upon the SIU’s preliminary inquiries to date, it is apparent that the SIU is without jurisdiction to continue with its investigation. Examination at hospital failed to reveal the presence of any “serious injury” for purposes of the SIU’s mandate. Consequently, the SIU’s investigation is hereby discontinued and the file is 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