News Release
SIU Discontinues Investigation into Woman’s Reported Injury Following Arrest by OPP Officers South of Ottawa
Case Number: 22-PCI-231
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has terminated an investigation into the reported serious injury of a 34-year-old woman during her arrest outside her home in North Dundas Township in August.
On September 6, 2022, the SIU received a report that the woman had been seriously injured during her arrest by Winchester Detachment officers on August 14, 2022. On that day, the woman was arrested in connection with a domestic dispute involving her husband. When officers escorted her outside, the woman pulled away and was taken to the ground. Her head did not strike the ground, however the officer held her head to the grass for two to three seconds before she was sat up. It was alleged that the takedown worsened the symptoms of a concussion the woman suffered weeks prior when she fell off a horse.
Based on the SIU’s preliminary inquiries, including a review of medical records, Director Martino was satisfied that the investigation should be discontinued at this time. In the circumstances, there was insufficient evidence of a ‘serious injury’ within the mandate of the SIU. The SIU was therefore without statutory jurisdiction to continue the investigation. 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