News Release
SIU Discontinues Owen Sound Investigation
Case Number: 23-OCI-108
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has terminated an investigation into an incident that occurred last month in Owen Sound.
On April 11, 2023, Owen Sound Police Service officers attended a residence for a domestic dispute call. While a 42-year-old man was inside the residence and the officers were outside, they spoke through a window. Seeing the man disappear at the window and concerned for his wellbeing, officers entered the home. The man had consumed an overdose of prescription medication. The officers rendered first aid. Paramedics arrived and transported the man to hospital where he recovered.
Based on the SIU’s preliminary inquiries, Director Martino was satisfied the investigation should be discontinued. On this record, there was patently nothing to investigate as far as the potential criminal liability of any police officer was concerned in connection with the incident; the man alone was responsible for what happened to him. 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