News Release
Cause of Woman’s Seizure was Alcohol Withdrawal, Rather than Police Action or Inaction; SIU Terminates Stratford Investigation
Case Number: 22-OCI-146
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has terminated an investigation into the hospitalization last month of a 34-year-old woman in Stratford.
On June 2, 2022, the woman was arrested by Stratford Police Service officers on the strength of outstanding warrants, and transported to the police station. While in the search room, the woman experienced a grand mal seizure, fell and struck her head. Paramedics transported her to hospital. The woman had suffered a hematoma to the forehead.
Based on the SIU’s preliminary inquiries, which included a review of the woman’s medical records, Director Martino was satisfied that the investigation should be discontinued at this time. The cause of the seizure was alcohol withdrawal, not any action or inaction on the part of the police. As there was patently nothing to investigate as far as the potential criminal liability of any police officer is concerned in connection with the woman’s condition, 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