News Release
SIU Discontinues Investigation into Drug Overdoses Suffered by Man in Lakeshore
Case Number: 21-PCI-127
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has terminated an investigation into the drug overdoses suffered by a 30-year-old man following his arrest by Ontario Provincial Police officers in Lakeshore last April.
On April 19, 2021, officers arrested the man before he lapsed into medical distress and was taken to hospital for treatment of a drug overdose. He was then returned to the OPP’s Lakeshore Detachment and lodged in a cell. The following morning, he was transported to hospital again and treated for another drug overdose.
Based on the SIU’s preliminary inquiries, the man did not sustain serious injuries. His overdoses were quickly recognized by officers, who took prompt action to secure medical attention, and successfully treated at hospital. Accordingly, as the SIU was without jurisdiction in the matter, 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