News Release

While Man’s Fractured Ribs Were a Result of Force Used During Hamilton Arrest, SIU Determines Officers Acted Lawfully

Case Number: 19-OCI-071   

Mississauga, ON (24 July, 2020) ---
In the afternoon of April 8, 2019, a 55-year-old man was arrested by two Hamilton Police Service officers in the backyard of his home. The man was taken from the scene to hospital, where he was diagnosed with broken ribs, the result of force used during his arrest. The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has determined the officers acted lawfully in their dealings with the man, and accordingly, there is no basis for proceeding with criminal charges in this case.

Full Director’s Report (with Incident Narrative, Evidence, and Analysis & Director’s Decision):https://www.siu.on.ca/en/directors_reports.php.

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.