News Release
SIU Lays Assault Charge Against St. Thomas Police Officer
Case Number: 22-OCI-225
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has reasonable grounds to believe that a St. Thomas Police Service officer committed a criminal offence in connection with the arrest of a 29-year-old man in September.
The investigation found that on September 1, 2022, the officer pursued a man on a bicycle who was wanted on outstanding warrants. Subsequently, there was an interaction between the officer and the man on Wellington Street, and he was arrested. The man was diagnosed with a serious injury.
As a result of the SIU investigation, Constable Sean James is charged with one count of assault causing bodily harm contrary to section 267(b) of the Criminal Code.
Cst James is required to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice at 4 Wellington Street in St. Thomas on December 13, 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