News Release
SIU Discontinues Investigation into London Officers' Involvement with Man in Distress
Case Number: 22-OCI-209
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has terminated an investigation into London Police Service officers and their involvement with a 33-year-old man in distress.
On August 17, 2022, the man’s wife called police concerned for her husband’s wellbeing. Officers located the man a short time later on the Highbury Avenue North bridge, north of Dundas Street. Officers negotiated with the man for about 90 minutes before he jumped from the bridge with a noose around his neck. Officers cut the man down and paramedics transported the man to hospital.
Based on the SIU’s preliminary inquiries, including a review of his medical records, the man did not suffer a serious injury within the mandate of the SIU leaving the Unit with no statutory jurisdiction in this matter.
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