News Release
SIU Concludes Investigation into Teen’s Serious Injury While Fleeing Police in Mississauga
Case Number: 24-OCI-251
The Special Investigations Unit found no reasonable grounds to believe a Peel Regional Police officer committed a criminal offence in connection with the serious injury of a 15-year-old male during his arrest in Mississauga. On June 13, 2024, police were called to look for the boy after he took his parents’ van without permission. He was located in the area of Winston Churchill Boulevard and Thomas Street.
The male evaded a police blockade, drove to a gas station where he almost struck a pump, and attempted to run from police on foot. While he was running away, an officer discharged a conducted energy weapon and struck him in the back. He fell to the ground and struck his face, breaking his jaw and teeth.
Director Joseph Martino concluded that some force was necessary to apprehend the male. Bringing the boy to the ground made sense as it would immediately bring his flight to an end while better positioning the officer to manage any continuing resistance, he said.
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