News Release
SIU Discontinues Investigation into Coldwater Arrest
Case Number: 24-PCI-264
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has terminated an investigation into the arrest of a 45-year-old man in Coldwater in December of 2023. The SIU became aware of the incident in June of 2024.
On December 12, 2023, Ontario Provincial Police officers attended a pharmacy on River Street after a man called saying that the pharmacy was refusing to dispense his medications. The officers explained to the man that the pharmacy had a right to refuse him service and attempted to assist the man. The man eventually left in his vehicle. A short time later, the same man was pulled over by the same officers and arrested for stunt driving. The man was taken 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. At hospital, no serious injuries were diagnosed. On this record, there being no ‘serious injury’ within the statutory mandate of the SIU, this office was without 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