News Release
Police Did Not Contribute to Man’s Injury Sustained When He Jumped from Balcony; SIU Terminates Hamilton Investigation
Case Number: 21-OCI-140
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has terminated an investigation into an incident last month in Hamilton
On May 2, 2021, the Hamilton Police Service (HPS) contacted the SIU to report that a 19-year-old male had been seriously injured from a fall off a balcony. As HPS officers were responding to the unit in question at the time, the SIU commenced an investigation.
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, said, “Based on the SIU’s preliminary inquiries, I am satisfied that there is patently nothing to investigate as far as the potential criminal liability of any police officer is concerned in connection with the man’s injuries. Whatever the reason for his course of action, it is evident that he alone is responsible for the injuries he incurred. Accordingly, the file is closed.”
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
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SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES