News Release
No Serious Injury Suffered by Youth During Nepean Arrest; SIU Terminates Investigation
Case Number: 22-OCI-142
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has terminated an investigation into the May arrest of a 14-year-old female in Nepean.
On May 25, 2022, Ottawa Police Service officers arrested the female in relation to a theft at a grocery store. Following a short struggle, she was handcuffed. She was subsequently released into the custody of her father. The following day, she attended hospital.
Based on the SIU’s preliminary inquiries, which included a review of the teenager’s medical records, it was determined there was no ‘serious injury’ suffered within the meaning of the SIU’s mandate. As the SIU was without jurisdiction to investigate the incident, 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