News Release
SIU Discontinues Investigation into Arrested Man’s Drug Overdose in Oxford County
Case Number: 21-PCI-420
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has terminated an investigation into the arrest and hospitalization of a 36-year-old man in Oxford County in December.
On December 16, 2021, the man took an overdose of prescription medication. While at his father’s house in Woodstock, the man fell into medical distress and paramedics were called. Ontario Provincial Police officers with the Tillsonburg Detachment were also sent to the home as there were concerns that the man may react violently at the sight of first responders. When paramedics could not convince the man to go with them willingly, police stepped in. After a struggle, during which one officer discharged his conducted energy weapon once, the man was handcuffed and escorted to the ambulance. The man was treated in hospital for the drug overdose and mental health issues.
Director Martino concluded that it was plain and obvious that the man’s hospitalization was the result of the man’s own conduct before the police intervention. Accordingly, the SIU was without statutory jurisdiction to continue the investigation.
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