News Release
SIU Concludes Investigation in Chatham
Case Number: 09-PVI-111
Three investigators from the SIU probed the circumstances of this occurrence.
Director Scott said, “A marked OPP cruiser was southbound on Michener Road. Unfortunately there was a collision between it and a cyclist. The cyclist was injured and received treatment at hospital. Three independent witnesses said the cyclist caused the accident by riding into the path of the OPP cruiser. Accordingly, there is no evidence to support an assertion of bad driving by the OPP officer and no criminality may attach to his involvement in this accident.â€Â
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