News Release
SIU Terminates Investigation into Man’s Drug Overdose in Windsor
Case Number: 23-OCI-462
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has terminated an investigation into an apparent drug overdose suffered by a 58-year-old man who the Windsor Police Service had apprehended last November.
Based on the SIU’s preliminary inquiries, including an interview with the man involved, the man’s wife contacted police the night of November 6, 2023. The man was suicidal and had locked himself in a bedroom in possession of a knife. Officers attended the Windsor home and attempted to negotiate a peaceful resolution. They were kept at bay by the man, who threatened to stab himself if they entered the bedroom. When the man became unresponsive in the room, the result of an apparent overdose of a muscle relaxant, officers entered and rendered aid. The man was apprehended under the Mental Health Act, and taken to hospital where he spent time in a coma before eventually recovering.
On this record, Director Martino was satisfied there was patently nothing to investigate as far as the potential criminal liability of any police officer is concerned in connection with the man’s overdose.
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