News Release

SIU Discontinues Investigation into Southampton Arrest

Case Number: 22-OCI-266   

Mississauga, ON (23 January, 2023) ---
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has terminated an investigation into the arrest of a 32-year-old man in October in Southampton.

In the evening of October 7, 2022, the man was arrested for public intoxication by a Saugeen Shores Police Service officer. Two days later, following his release from custody, the man went to hospital where he was reportedly diagnosed with a concussion and fractured vertebrae.  

While the man attributed his injuries to force used by the arresting officer, he refused to authorize the release of his medical records. As there was not sufficient evidence of a ‘serious injury’ at the hands of police within the mandate of the SIU, Director Martino determined the SIU was without statutory jurisdiction to investigate the incident. 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.

Monica Hudon, siu.media@ontario.ca
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES