News Release
SIU Discontinues Investigation into Man’s Broken Wrist in Rockland OPP Cell
Case Number: 21-PCI-227
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has terminated an investigation into the serious injury suffered by a man while he was in a cell at the Rockland OPP detachment in July.
In the morning of July 19, 2021, the man was arrested for breaking and entering, and lodged in a cell where he slipped and fell. After the man was released from custody, he was diagnosed with a fractured right wrist.
Based on the SIU’s preliminary inquiries, Director Martino found it was evident that no officer caused or contributed to the man’s injury in any manner that could attract criminal liability. 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