News Release

SIU Concludes Investigation into Man, Woman Seriously Injured During Arrests Near Cornwall

Case Number: 24-PCI-286   

Mississauga, ON (31 October, 2024) ---
The Special Investigations Unit found no reasonable grounds to believe an Ontario Provincial Police officer committed a criminal offence in connection with the serious injuries of a 22-year-old woman and 35-year-old man during a traffic stop on Highway 401. On July 3, 2024, the officer pulled over the SUV they were in for speeding and tailgating him.

The officer was checking the man’s driver’s licence in his cruiser when he saw the man walking toward him. It appeared the man, who had difficulty understanding and speaking English, was attempting to hug and kiss the officer. The officer forced the man to the ground after the man resisted efforts to handcuff him. He was arrested for assault. The female passenger attempted to approach and physically intervene three times. The officer pushed her away each time and she was arrested for obstruction. The woman was diagnosed with a fractured right elbow and the man was diagnosed with a possible fleck fracture of the right wrist.

Director Joseph Martino concluded the officer used no more force than was necessary in the execution of his duties.
 
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