News Release

News Release

SIU Concludes Innisfil Death Investigation

Case Number: 11-OCD-012   

Mississauga (12 May, 2011) --- The Director of the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), Ian Scott, has concluded that there are no reasonable grounds to charge any officers of the South Simcoe Police Service (SSPS) with a criminal offence in regards to the death of 44-year-old Sulev Saamel, in January of this year.

The SIU assigned four investigators and one forensic investigator to probe the circumstances of this incident. Two officers were designated as subject officers. Three witness officers and two civilian witnesses were interviewed. SIU investigators processed and recorded the scene. Photographs and measurements were taken, video recordings made and a scale drawing of the scene was produced.

The SIU investigation determined the following:

• On January 22, 2011 the subject officers were dispatched to Mr. Saamel’s residence to investigate a call pertaining to a domestic disturbance.

• Mr. Saamel went into a bedroom and secured the door with a cordless drill.

• SSPS officers were informed that Mr. Saamel was dangerous, had threatened to cause harm to his common law partner and to himself, and had weapons in the barricaded room.

• An SSPS officer attempted to breach the door but was unsuccessful.

• Officers eventually forced entry into the room with the use of a battering ram.

• Once inside officers found Mr. Saamel unconscious with a knife wound to his throat.

• A bloodied knife was found near the body at the scene.

• Emergency Medical Services responded and transported Mr. Saamel to Royal Victoria Hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

Director Scott stated, "In my view, Mr. Saamel was responsible for taking his own life and the subject officers had no criminal involvement in his tragic decision. Accordingly, no criminal liability may attach to their acts or omissions."

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