News Release
SIU Discontinues Welland Investigation
Case Number: 20-OCI-226
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has terminated an investigation into the August arrest of a 60-year-old man in Welland.
On August 27, 2020, a Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) officer attended an address in Welland for a neighbor dispute. While attempting to arrest one of the men involved in the dispute, a struggle ensued between the man and the officer. The man was eventually subdued and placed in the police cruiser. On September 11, 2020, NRPS contacted the SIU to report that the man was complaining of having suffered two broken ribs in the course of his apprehension. The SIU commenced an investigation.
Director Martino said, “Based on the SIU’s preliminary inquiries, which included a review of the man’s treatment records, I am satisfied that the SIU is presently without statutory jurisdiction to continue with the investigation. In the circumstances, there being no confirmed “serious injury” within the meaning of the SIU’s mandate, 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