News Release

News Release

SIU Re-Opens Case Involving Reported Serious Injuries Suffered by Man in OPP Bracebridge Custody

Case Number: 22-PCI-178   

Other News Releases Related to Case 22-PCI-178

SIU Discontinues Investigation into Man’s Arrest, Injury in Bracebridge

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Mississauga, ON (3 August, 2023) ---
The province’s Special Investigations Unit has re-opened a case into the reported serious injuries suffered by a 31-year-old man while he was in custody of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) in Bracebridge last year. 

Preliminary information suggests the following:

  • The man was arrested on June 21, 2022, in relation to a reported assault involving his girlfriend. 
  • Following a stay in hospital where he was treated for a serious hand injury suffered prior to his arrest, the man was taken to the Bracebridge detachment and put in a cell. 
  • The man was involved in a physical altercation with several officers while at the station and he reportedly suffered a nose injury. 
  • The incident was initially reported to the SIU on July 7, 2022, and the SIU launched an investigation. That investigation was discontinued on November 10, 2022, based on a review of medical records and a determination that they did not provide evidence of a serious injury within the terms of the SIU’s statutory mandate. 
  • On August 2, 2023, based on new evidence received and a further review of the medical records, the SIU re-opened the case. 
Two investigators have been assigned to the case. 

The SIU is urging anyone who may have information about this investigation, including video or photos, to contact the lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529 or online at: https://siu.on.ca/en/appeals.php

If you or someone you know is an affected person in need of support, please call the Affected Persons Program General Referral Line at 1-877-641-1897 or click here for more information: siu.on.ca/en/apc.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