News Release
Man Received Adequate Care while Lodged in Sault Ste. Marie Police Service Cell; No Charges to Issue in Relation to Hospitalization Following Drug Overdose
Case Number: 20-OCI-350
On December 14, 2020, a 32-year-old man fell into medical distress while in a Sault Ste. Marie Police Service cell. He was taken to hospital and spent time in the ICU, reportedly the result of a drug overdose. The officer with overall responsibility for the care and well-being of prisoners at the time was identified as the subject official for purposes of the SIU 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 time in custody.
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