News Release
SIU Discontinues Investigation into Seizure Suffered by Man in OPP Orillia Cell
Case Number: 21-PCI-254
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has terminated an investigation into a man admitted to hospital after experiencing a seizure while in a cell at the Ontario Provincial Police’s detachment in Orillia last August.
Based on the SIU’s preliminary inquiries, the man was taken into custody on August 11, 2021, and taken to hospital for treatment of a non-serious injury. While still in OPP custody, he was returned to hospital after experiencing a seizure – the result of a pre-existing condition.
Director Martino found that the man did not suffer a serious injury within the mandate of the SIU, much less a serious injury attributable to police conduct. Accordingly, 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