News Release
SIU Concludes Investigation in OPP Tecumseh Area
Case Number: 09-PVI-019
Other News Releases Related to Case 09-PVI-019
The SIU assigned two investigators and one forensic investigator to probe the circumstances of this incident.
The SIU investigation determined that on January 31, 2009, at approximately 6:00 p.m. in the area of Highway 77, east of Essex, an OPP officer attempted to stop a vehicle that had earlier been reported stolen. The driver of the vehicle, 41-year-old Scott McLaughlin, did not stop and a pursuit ensued. The pursuit continued until 6:30 p.m. when a spike belt was deployed. Mr. McLaughlin lost control of the vehicle and went into a ditch on Highway 3 near Sexton Sideroad. Mr. McLaughlin was arrested at the scene. He complained of injuries and was transported to hospital where he was treated.
Director Scott said, “The subject officers became involved in a high-speed pursuit of Mr. McLaughlin after he had appropriated a taxicab. The first officer involved in the pursuit used his emergency lights and sirens and pursued the stolen taxicab along County Road 34 and Highway 3 in Essex County. Other OPP officers joined the pursuit. The officers attempted a rolling stop of the taxicab after taking out one of the front tires with a spike belt. In the process of so doing, the taxicab left the roadway and entered the ditch area of Highway 3 west of County Road 34.â€Â
Director Scott added, “The officers approached Mr. McLaughlin who was conscious and still located in the driver’s seat with his legs pinned under the dashboard. Mr. McLaughlin physically resisted the arresting officers, who were ultimately able to forcibly remove him from the vehicle. Mr. McLaughlin was handcuffed and transported to hospital due to his complaints about injuries he received. Accordingly, while force was used on Mr. McLaughlin in order to remove him from the vehicle, I am of the view that it was not excessive in these circumstances given his degree of resistance. In any event, the more serious injuries he received were more likely than not the result of the motor vehicle collision as opposed to intentional force applied by the subject officers.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