News Release
SIU Discontinues Investigation into Man’s Hospitalization Following Arrest in Vaughan
Case Number: 21-OCI-251
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has terminated an investigation into the hospitalization of a 34-year-old man following his arrest by York Regional Police (YRP) officers earlier this month.
At approximately 4 p.m. on August 10, 2021, the man was involved in a motor vehicle collision on Rutherford Road, east of Highway 27, in Vaughan. The man fled on foot but was subsequently arrested around 5:15 p.m. by YRP officers with the use of a police dog. The man was admitted to hospital, where he was treated for a serious health condition unrelated to the dog bite he had sustained, which was minor in nature.
Based on the SIU’s preliminary inquiries, which included a review of police records and information related to the man’s medical condition, Director Martino determined the man did not sustain a “serious injury” at the hands of the police. As the SIU is without statutory jurisdiction to continue the investigation, 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.
Monica Hudon, siu.media@ontario.ca
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES