News Release

News Release

SIU Concludes Investigation into Man Concussed Reportedly in OPP Bracebridge Custody

Case Number: 22-PCI-178   

Other News Releases Related to Case 22-PCI-178

SIU Discontinues Investigation into Man’s Arrest, Injury in Bracebridge
SIU Re-Opens Case Involving Reported Serious Injuries Suffered by Man in OPP Bracebridge Custody

Mississauga, ON (25 July, 2024) ---
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, found no reasonable grounds to believe an Ontario Provincial Police officer committed a criminal offence in connection with a concussion suffered by a 30-year-old man in 2022. The SIU re-opened this case in August 2023 after receiving new information. 

On June 21, 2023, police were called to a residence in Bracebridge for a report that the man assaulted a woman. The man was arrested and taken to the detachment. While the man was being placed in a cell, the man repeatedly attempted to punch an officer and grabbed him by the neck. The officer delivered initial punches, followed by an additional five punches after the man released his hold on the officer’s head.

Director Martino found the subsequent punches were arguably not strictly necessary. The law, however, does not demand that officers perfectly tailor their force when engaged in volatile and violent situations. Director Martino found that for an officer engaged in a vigorous struggle, he was unable to reasonably conclude that the officer acted in excess.
 
Full Director’s Report (with Incident Narrative, Evidence, and Analysis & Director’s Decision): 

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