News Release
SIU Discontinues Chatsworth Investigation
Case Number: 23-PCI-320
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has terminated an investigation into a 21-year-old man’s time in custody in August in Chatsworth.
On August 8, 2023, the man was lodged in cells at the Wiarton Detachment, following his arrest on charges of mischief and failing to comply with a release order. At about 10:30 p.m., the man was supplied a dose of his anti-seizure medication. The following morning, he was transferred to the Chatsworth Detachment for a bail hearing and provided another dose of the medication. The man suffered a seizure in cells and was transported to hospital. There, again, the man was provided a dose of his medicine. Shortly after his return to the detachment, the man suffered another seizure. He was transported to hospital a second time and admitted for observation.
Based on the SIU’s preliminary inquiries, including a review of video footage that captured his time in custody, Director Martino was satisfied the investigation should be discontinued. As the video footage makes clear, the man’s time in custody was largely unremarkable. He was supplied his medication and promptly taken to hospital after both seizures. The seizures were likely the result of his failure to take his medication for days prior to his arrest. On this record, there was patently nothing to investigate as far as the potential criminal liability of any of the man’s police custodians were concerned. 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