News Release
SIU Concludes Investigation into L’Orignal Arrest
Case Number: 22-PCI-262
In the morning of October 4, 2022, Ontario Provincial Police officers attended a residence in L’Orignal as a result of a 42-year-old man expressing concern about the mental health of his partner. Satisfied there were no grounds for an apprehension under the Mental Health Act, the officers exited the home and explained the situation to the man. An altercation ensued, and the man was arrested. At hospital, he was diagnosed with a fractured left orbital bone, and a number of ‘subacute’ spine and rib fractures. While accepting that the man’s injuries were incurred in the course of the altercation with police that marked his arrest, SIU Director Joseph Martino determined there were no reasonable grounds to believe they were the result of unlawful conduct on the part of any officer. As there was no basis for proceeding with criminal charges in this case, the file has been closed.
Full Director’s Report (with Incident Narrative, Evidence, and Analysis & Director’s Decision): https://www.siu.on.ca/en/directors_reports.php.
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