News Release
SIU Terminates Investigation into Man’s Arrest in Harrow
Case Number: 20-PCI-149
Other News Releases Related to Case 20-PCI-149
SIU Appealing for Witnesses to Arrest in Community of Harrow
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has terminated an investigation into the arrest last month of a 26-year-old man in Harrow.
On the night of June 23, 2020, Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officers with the Essex detachment responded to a mischief call on Secord Avenue and located a 26-year-old man. Following a struggle, the man was arrested and placed in the back of an OPP cruiser. Due to medical concerns, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) was called. While in the back of the cruiser, the man smashed his head and face off the Plexiglas partition in the rear with great force. He was removed from the OPP cruiser and transported to hospital by EMS.
Director Martino said, “Based upon the SIU’s preliminary inquiries, which included a review of the man’s medical records, it is apparent that the SIU is without jurisdiction to continue with the investigation. Though the matter was reported to the SIU as involving a brain bleed and concussion, it is now clear that neither injury was in fact diagnosed. Rather, following his arrest by the OPP, the man was taken to hospital where the extent of his injuries was ultimately determined to consist of a subdural hematoma of no significant mass or effect. As the injury does not amount to a “serious injury” within the terms of the SIU’s statutory jurisdiction, the 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