News Release
SIU Discontinues Investigation into Serious Injuries Suffered by Man in Markham
Case Number: 21-OCI-270
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has terminated an investigation into a broken nose and ribs suffered by a 44-year-old man last August.
On August 21, 2021 the York Regional Police went to a residence on Elgin Street in Markham to investigate a reported domestic assault. Officers searched for the man and, a short time later, he was located with injuries at the rear of a restaurant on York Boulevard in Richmond Hill.
Based on the SIU’s preliminary findings, Director Martino found the man’s injuries were likely due to having jumped from the balcony at the Elgin Street residence to evade police. No police officer was in the unit at the time. As a result, Director Martino concluded there was no criminal liability for any police officer involved in this case and the file has been 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
Lisez ce communiqué en français.
Kristy Denette, siu.media@ontario.ca
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES