News Release
SIU Concludes Investigation into Woman’s Medical Episode in Sioux Lookout
Case Number: 23-PCI-024
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has found no reasonable grounds to believe an Ontario Provincial Police officer committed a criminal offence in connection with a 19-year-old woman who lapsed into medical distress while in custody. On January 20, 2023, the woman was arrested in Sioux Lookout on a warrant. She was lodged in a cell and had drugs in her possession. At her bail hearing, the justice expressed concerns about her and she was taken to a medical centre for treatment.
Full Director’s Report (with Incident Narrative, Evidence, and Analysis & Director’s Decision):
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