News Release
SIU Discontinues Hanover Investigation Due to Insufficient Evidence of Serious Injury
Case Number: 24-OCI-238
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has terminated an investigation into the June arrest of a 19-year-old man in Hanover.
On June 1, 2024, the man was arrested by Hanover Police Service officers in front of the Circle K convenience store at 464 10th Street in Hanover. This was in connection to an assault. On June 4, 2024, the man contacted the police service and indicated that the arresting officer had applied the handcuffs too tightly, fracturing his wrist in the process. The SIU was notified.
Based on the SIU’s preliminary inquiries, Director Martino was satisfied the investigation should be discontinued. In subsequent communications with the SIU, the man refused to release his medical records or provide a statement to the SIU. In the circumstances, the evidence of “serious injury” for purposes of the SIU’s mandate was insufficient to warrant continued investigation. At this time, 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.
Kristy Denette, siu.media@ontario.ca
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES