News Release
Due to no Serious Injury, SIU Discontinues Waterford Investigation
Case Number: 23-PCI-477
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has terminated an investigation into the June 2023 arrest of a 49-year-old man in Waterford. The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) notified the SIU of the matter on November 16, 2023, upon learning that the man had filed a complaint.
In the evening of June 13, 2023, OPP officers were dispatched to a home after a woman called police to report a domestic incident involving the man. Two officers arrived on scene and eventually arrested the man. After being released, the man sought medical attention for shoulder pain.
Based on the SIU’s preliminary inquiries, including a review of the man’s medical records, Director Martino was satisfied the investigation should be discontinued. The results of an ultrasound of the man’s right shoulder revealed a rotator cuff tear. In the circumstances, the man’s injury did not rise to the level of a ‘serious injury’ within the terms of the SIU’s mandate. The SIU was therefore without statutory jurisdiction to investigate the incident. 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.
Monica Hudon, siu.media@ontario.ca
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES