News Release
No Charges After Hamilton Man Injured During Arrest
Case Number: 21-OCI-086
The Special Investigations Unit has found no reasonable grounds to charge Hamilton Police Service (HPS) officers after a man was injured following a foot pursuit in March 2021.
On March 18, 2021, HPS responded to reports of a stolen dog. A man suspected in the theft was captured in a foot chase, grounded, and handcuffed following a struggle on Bay Street North. The man was taken to hospital and diagnosed with a fractured cheek bone.
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has found the use of force by the officers was justified in the circumstances and the case has been closed.
Full Director’s Report (with Incident Narrative, Evidence, and Analysis & Director’s Decision): https://siu.on.ca/en/directors_report_details.php?drid=1451
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
Lisez ce communiqué en français.
Kristy Denette, siu.media@ontario.ca
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES