News Release
SIU Terminates Investigation into Caledonia Arrest
Case Number: 20-PCI-343
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has terminated an investigation into the arrest last month of a 62-year-old man in Caledonia.
At approximately 5:30 p.m. on December 8, 2020, the man was involved in a motor vehicle collision in Caledonia. He was arrested by Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officers for impaired operation of a vehicle, and then transported to the OPP Caledonia Detachment. After the man complained of wrist pain, he was taken to hospital where he was reportedly diagnosed with a fractured left wrist and right foot.
Director Martino said, “Based on the SIU’s preliminary inquiries, I am satisfied there is patently nothing to investigate as far as the potential criminal liability of any police officer is concerned in connection with the man’s injuries. As it is apparent that the man’s reported injuries were incurred in a motor vehicle accident and had nothing to do with the police, 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