News Release
No Charges in Man’s Arrest, Hospitalization in Peterborough
Case Number: 21-OCI-159
Other News Releases Related to Case 21-OCI-159
SIU Appealing for Witnesses to Arrest Outside Peterborough Grocery Store
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has found no reasonable grounds to believe that two Peterborough Police Service officers committed a criminal offence in connection with a 40-year-old man’s arrest and subsequent admission to hospital.
On May 19, 2021, Peterborough Police Service officers were called to the No Frills store on George Street North in Peterborough after the man was suspected to have committed theft and threatened staff when confronted. Two officers forced the man to the ground and arrested him. Paramedics took the man to hospital where he was treated for a head laceration.
While the man’s injury occurred during the takedown, Director Martino found neither officer used excessive force during the arrest, therefore there was no basis for criminal charges. As such, the file has been closed.
Full Director’s Report (with Incident Narrative, Evidence, and Analysis & Director’s Decision): https://www.siu.on.ca/en/directors_report_details.php?drid=1557
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