News Release
SIU Discontinues Investigation into Facial Fractures Suffered by Man in Ottawa
Case Number: 21-OCI-366
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has terminated an investigation into facial fractures suffered by a 37-year-old man after it was determined the injuries were not caused by an Ottawa Police Service officer.
On October 28, 2021, the man was in the Market area when he got into a fight with security personnel from businesses on York Street. An off-duty officer came upon the scene and attempted to de-escalate the situation. In time, additional officers arrived and arrested the man. He was taken to hospital where he was treated for facial fractures.
Based on the SIU’s preliminary inquiries, which included a review of security camera footage that captured the incident, it was determined that the man’s injuries were caused by his skirmishes with security personnel and had nothing to do with officers.
Accordingly, Director Martino concluded that there was patently nothing to investigate as far as potential criminal liability of any police officer involved in this incident 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