News Release
Hamilton Police Service Officer Charged with Sexual Assault Causing Bodily Harm
Case Number: 20-OSA-298
On November 7, 2020, the SIU was contacted by the Hamilton Police Service regarding a complaint of an alleged sexual assault that had occurred against a man the day prior. The SIU invoked its mandate and commenced an investigation.
As a result of the SIU investigation, Constable Ryan Cole is facing one count of sexual assault causing bodily harm, contrary to s. 272(1)(c) of the Criminal Code.
Cst Cole was arrested today and subsequently released on an undertaking with conditions that he does not communicate or associate with any witnesses and that he not possess a firearm. Cst Cole is required to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice at 45 Main Street East in Hamilton on May 3, 2021.
The matter is now properly before the courts. In consideration of the fair trial interests of the accused, the SIU will make no further comment pertaining to this investigation.
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