News Release
As Man Did Not Suffer Serious Injury, SIU Terminates London Investigation
Case Number: 24-OCI-037
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has terminated an investigation into the arrest of a 45-year-old man in January in London.
In the early morning of January 25, 2024, the man was out riding his e-bike westbound on the sidewalk of Oxford Street West when he noticed a London Police Service cruiser with its emergency lights activated. Realizing the cruiser was attempting to stop him, and not wanting to be stopped because of an arrest warrant in effect at the time authorizing his arrest, the man accelerated away westward. He lost control of his e-bike west of Sanatorium Road and crashed into a snowbank, landing beneath his bike. The man was arrested. Upon complaining of pain, he was transported to hospital.
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 hospital records of the man’s visit confirm that he did not sustain any fractures or other serious injuries. His pain, while likely aggravated by the incident, was the result of a pre-existing condition. On this record, there being no ‘serious injury’ within the terms of the SIU’s mandate, the SIU was without jurisdiction to investigate. 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