News Release
SIU Discontinues Investigation into Man’s Arrest, Injury in Bracebridge
Case Number: 22-PCI-178
Other News Releases Related to Case 22-PCI-178
SIU Re-Opens Case Involving Reported Serious Injuries Suffered by Man in OPP Bracebridge Custody
Witness Assistance
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has terminated an investigation into the arrest and injury suffered by a 30-year-old man involving Ontario Provincial Police officers in June.
Based on the SIU’s preliminary inquiries, the man was arrested on June 21, 2022 in relation to a reported assault involving his girlfriend. Following a stay in hospital where he was treated for a serious hand injury suffered prior to his arrest, the man was taken to the Bracebridge detachment and put in a cell. The man was then involved in a physical altercation with several officers while at the station where he reportedly suffered a nose injury.
Based on a review of medical records, Director Martino was not satisfied that the man suffered a broken nose or any other serious injury within the terms of the SIU’s statutory mandate. Accordingly, the SIU was without jurisdiction to investigate further and 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
Kristy Denette, siu.media@ontario.ca
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES