News Release

SIU Investigates Custody Death in Collingwood

Case Number: 10-PCD-111   

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Mississauga (25 June, 2010) --- Ontario's Special Investigations Unit (SIU) is probing the circumstances surrounding the custody death of a 27-year-old man in Collingwood. The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) reported the following information to the SIU:

* On June 24, at approximately 5:30 p.m., OPP officers responded to a location on St. Marie Street.
* There was an interaction between the man and officers, and a Conducted Energy Weapon was used.
* The man became unresponsive, and was transported to hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Four investigators and two forensic investigators from the SIU are investigating this incident. Anyone who may have information regarding this case is asked to contact the Unit at 416-622-0748 or 1-800-787-8529.

If you or someone you know has been negatively affected by an incident under SIU investigation and would like support, the Affected Persons Program is here to help. You can reach us at 1-877-641-1897. Support is free, confidential, and available 24/7, every day of the year.

The SIU is an independent government agency that investigates the conduct of officials (municipal, regional and provincial police officers, police officers with the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service, 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