News Release
SIU Concludes Investigation into Sudbury Officers in Relation to Man’s Fractured Neck
Case Number: 24-OCI-217
Other News Releases Related to Case 24-OCI-217
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, found no reasonable grounds to believe a Greater Sudbury Police Service officer committed a criminal offence in connection with a 37-year-old man’s serious injury. On May 22, 2024, the man was seriously injured during or shortly after his arrest by officers.
In the afternoon of May 22, 2024, officers conducted a traffic stop in the area of Cedar Street west of Paris Street. There were two warrants in effect authorizing the man’s arrest. The man strenuously resisted arrest, first inside the vehicle where two conducted energy weapon (CEW) discharges failed to subdue him, and then on the roadway. He refused to release his arms to be handcuffed and flailed his legs. The officers responded with force, including the use of a CEW and multiple hand and knee strikes.
Director Martino noted that was significant but made necessary by the extent of the man’s fight and the need to arrest him as soon as possible given their position on a live road. Once his arms and legs were restrained, no further strikes were delivered. He also found the force used by the officers at the station was similarly justified.
While Director Martino accepted that the man’s injury was incurred at some point during his physical engagement with the officers, he was unable to reasonably conclude it was attributable to any unlawful conduct on their part.
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.
Kristy Denette, siu.media@ontario.ca
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES