News Release
SIU Discontinues Kenora Investigation; Woman’s Injury Not Serious
Case Number: 23-PCI-112
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has terminated an investigation into an injury suffered by a 29-year-old woman last month in Kenora.
In the late afternoon of April 15, 2023, the woman was arrested by Ontario Provincial Police officers as a result of an incident occurring at a local business. She was transported to the Kenora Detachment. While at the detachment, a struggle ensued between the woman and several officers, resulting in her injuring her right ankle. Subsequently transported to hospital, the woman was diagnosed with soft tissue swelling of the right ankle.
Based on the SIU’s preliminary inquiries, including a review of the woman’s medical records and video footage of her time in police custody, Director Martino was satisfied that the investigation should be discontinued. In the circumstances, there being no ‘serious injury’ within the terms of the SIU’s mandate, the Unit was without 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