News Release
SIU Discontinues Investigation into Woman Who Punched Cell Wall, Broke Right Hand in Barrie Custody
Case Number: 23-OCI-212
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has terminated an investigation into reported broken right hand suffered by a 47-year-old woman after she punched the wall of her cell in June.
Based on the SIU’s preliminary inquiries, including an interview with the woman and a review of video footage in the cell, on June 4, 2023, the woman was put into a cell and punched one of the walls. She was taken to hospital and diagnosed with the injury. On this record, there is patently nothing to investigate as far as the potential criminal liability of any police officer is concerned in connection with the injury. 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.
Kristy Denette, siu.media@ontario.ca
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES