News Release
No Criminal Wrongdoing Found in Relation to Drowning Death of Man in Clarence-Rockland
Case Number: 20-PCD-208
Other News Releases Related to Case 20-PCD-208
SIU Investigating After Man Goes Missing in Ottawa River
Update: Police Dive Team Locates Man who Went Missing in Ottawa River; SIU Releases Identity
In the afternoon of August 25, 2020, the body of a 71-year-old man was recovered from the Ottawa River in the area of Moulin Park, Clarence-Rockland. As he had entered the water from a dock in the park on August 22, 2020 just after he was approached by an Ontario Provincial Police officer, the SIU was notified and commenced an investigation. The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has determined there are no reasonable grounds to believe that the officer committed a criminal offence in connection with the man’s death.
Full Director’s Report (with Incident Narrative, Evidence, and Analysis & Director’s Decision):https://www.siu.on.ca/en/directors_reports.php.
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