News Release

SIU Concludes Investigation into Man’s Broken Nose During Barrie Arrest

Case Number: 24-OCI-306   

Mississauga, ON (13 November, 2024) ---
The Special Investigations Unit found no reasonable grounds to believe two Barrie Police Service officers committed a criminal offence in connection with a broken nose suffered by a 21-year-old man. On July 16, 2024, officers attempted to arrest the man for drug trafficking on Mary Street. The man fled from police on foot.

Director Joseph Martino concluded that the force used by the officers was not disproportionate. The man had fled from police, engaging them in a foot pursuit, and refused to submit peacefully to arrest when grounded, struggling against efforts to handcuff his arms behind his back. 

The injury could have resulted from his falling forward onto his face while fleeing arrest, or from an officer tackling him from behind and landing on his back while he was on the ground. In whichever circumstance, Director Martino found no grounds to believe that either subject official comported himself other than within the limits of the criminal law.

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.

Monica Hudon, siu.media@ontario.ca
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES