News Release
SIU Terminates Investigation into Falling Injuries Sustained by Woman in Thunder Bay
Case Number: 17-OCI-299
Other News Releases Related to Case 17-OCI-299
SIU Investigating Falling Injuries Sustained by Woman in Thunder Bay
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Tony Loparco, has terminated an investigation into the injuries sustained in October of 2017 by a 19-year-old woman in Thunder Bay.
At approximately 11 p.m. on October 15, 2017, Thunder Bay Police Service was made aware of a dispute taking place in an apartment building unit in the area of Algoma Street North and River Street. Despite knocking on the door of the 3rd floor unit and asking the occupants to open the door, there was no response. Upon breaching the door, officers arrested a man. Shortly after, the 19-year-old woman – who was also in the unit – jumped out the bedroom window and fell to the ground below. She was transported to hospital for treatment of injuries sustained as a result of the fall.
Director Loparco said, “The woman admitted that she was injured after jumping out of a window as the police officers lawfully entered the premises to check on her well-being. Their actions were both lawful and reasonable. Accordingly, this investigation has been terminated.”
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