News Release
SIU to Review Evidence in 2003 Peel Custody Injury
Case Number: 03-OCI-031
Other News Releases Related to Case 03-OCI-031
On June 30, 2010, the Ontario Court of Appeal released its decision in R. v. Tran et al. In its reasons, the appellate court referred to the 'gratuitous beating' of Mr. Tran by Peel Regional police officers after his arrest in 2003. The decision went on to comment that the only action taken at the time was an SIU investigation in 2003 that led to no charges. Epstein J.A. for the unanimous court stated, "It is difficult to understand why or how those responsible for investigating the incident could continue to maintain there are no reasonable grounds to proceed." On the basis of these comments, current SIU Director, Ian Scott, intends to review the evidence called before the trial judge relevant to this issue with a view to determining whether this matter ought to be reopened.
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