News Release
SIU Concludes Investigation into Niagara Falls Arrest
Case Number: 22-OCI-038
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has found no reasonable grounds to believe that a Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) officer committed a criminal offence in connection with the February arrest and injury of a man in Niagara Falls.
In the morning of February 9, 2022, NRPS officers were dispatched to a residence after a woman called police reporting that an argument between her 29-year-old son and her husband had become physical. Officers spoke with the parents, and the son agreed to leave the home voluntarily. When he attempted to re-enter, an officer prevented him from doing so. A struggle ensued, and the man was eventually handcuffed. While in the rear of the cruiser, the man lashed out. He was removed from the vehicle, and re-handcuffed to the back. When the man complained of chest pain and advised that he had an enlarged heart, an ambulance was called to the scene. At hospital, the man was diagnosed with a broken nose.
While accepting that the man broke his nose in his altercation with NRPS officers on the day of his arrest, more than likely in the course of the second of the two takedowns, Director Martino concluded there were no reasonable grounds to believe that any officers comported themselves other than lawfully in their engagement. The file has been closed.
Full Director’s Report (with Incident Narrative, Evidence, and Analysis & Director’s Decision): https://www.siu.on.ca/en/directors_reports.php.
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