News Release
SIU Discontinues Investigation into Man’s Reported Injury in Orillia
Case Number: 22-PCI-168
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has terminated an investigation into the broken foot reportedly suffered by a 33-year-old man in Orillia last month.
On July 1, 2022, the man was arrested in Orillia by Ontario Provincial Police officers after he forced his way into his former partner’s home and damaged her property. He was taken to the detachment, lodged in a cell and later complained of foot pain. He was taken to hospital where he was reportedly diagnosed with a broken foot. At the time, it was alleged that the injury happened during his arrest after having been tackled to the ground by an officer. However, later it was reported that the fracture happened days before the arrest and had nothing to do with police.
Based on the SIU’s preliminary inquiries, Director Martino was satisfied there was insufficient evidentiary foundation to proceed with an investigation. Accordingly, 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.
Kristy Denette, siu.media@ontario.ca
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES