News Release
SIU Discontinues Kingston Overdose Investigation
Case Number: 25-OCI-049
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has terminated an investigation into an overdose suffered by a 34-year-old man last month in Kingston.
On the evening of February 4, 2025, the man was arrested by Kingston Police officers and taken to the police station. Because of concerns over the man’s behaviour and suspected drug consumption, he was transported to hospital. He was treated for acetaminophen poisoning.
Based on the SIU’s preliminary inquiries, Director Martino was satisfied the investigation should be discontinued. As the man had taken an overdose of Tylenol prior to his arrest, there was patently nothing to investigate as far as the potential criminal liability of any police officer was concerned in connection with the man’s overdose. 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.
Monica Hudon, siu.media@ontario.ca
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES