News Release
SIU Lays Assault Charge Against Peel Regional Police Officer
Case Number: 21-OCI-273
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has reasonable grounds to believe that a Peel Regional Police officer committed a criminal offence during the arrest of a 22-year-old man in Mississauga last August.
The SIU investigation determined that on August 26, 2021, officers stopped a driver who was being sought by police. The man fled from the vehicle and was apprehended by officers following a foot chase.
As a result of the SIU investigation, Sergeant (Sgt) John Rocha is charged with one count of assault contrary to section 266 of the Criminal Code.
Sgt Rocha is required to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice at 7755 Hurontario Street in Brampton on May 27, 2022.
As the matter is before the courts, and in consideration of the fair trial interests of the accused, the SIU will not provide further comment on 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