News Release
SIU Concludes Investigation into Woman’s Serious Injuries During Arrest by OPP in Orillia
Case Number: 23-PCI-061
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, found no reasonable grounds to believe an Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officer committed a criminal offence in connection with the serious injuries suffered by a 60-year-old woman during her arrest in Orillia. On February 15, 2023, the OPP went to a residence in relation to the woman who was reported to be trespassing. The woman, who was in the bathtub, did not or could not leave due to intoxication and an officer removed and arrested her. While Director Martino accepted the officer caused the woman’s right shoulder dislocation and fracture when he pulled her from the tub, there were no reasonable grounds to believe the officer comported himself other than lawfully.
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