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2020 News Releases
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26 March, 2020
Due to Absence of Statement and No Medical Records, SIU Terminates Toronto Investigation
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has terminated an investigation into an interaction that occurred earlier this month between a 40-year-old man and Toronto Police Service officers.25 March, 2020
SIU Investigating Falling Death of Woman in Barrie
The province’s Special Investigations Unit is investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a 79-year-old woman today in Barrie.21 March, 2020
SIU Investigating Interaction in Etobicoke Preceding Man’s Death
The province’s Special Investigations Unit is investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a 33-year-old man today in Etobicoke.20 March, 2020
Durham Regional Police Service Officer Charged with Sexual Assault
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), Joseph Martino, has caused charges to be laid against a Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS) officer in relation to incidents that reportedly occurred in Oshawa in 2017 and 2018.17 March, 2020
SIU Investigating Man’s Death in Toronto
The province’s Special Investigations Unit is investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a man earlier this afternoon in Toronto.16 March, 2020
SIU Investigating Incident in Ottawa
The province’s Special Investigations Unit is investigating the circumstances surrounding the serious injuries sustained by a 42-year-old man in Ottawa, last night.13 March, 2020
SIU Investigating Death of Man in Shuniah
The province’s Special Investigations Unit is investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a 31-year-old man yesterday in Shuniah, a municipality bordering the city of Thunder Bay.13 March, 2020
SIU Investigating Death of Man in Thunder Bay
The province’s Special Investigations Unit is investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a 29-year-old man on the weekend in Thunder Bay.11 March, 2020
SIU Terminates Investigation into injury of Man in Brantford
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has terminated an investigation into an interaction that occurred in January, between police officers and a 31-year-old man.6 March, 2020
No Criminal Wrongdoing Found in Relation to Arrest of Man in Hawkesbury
On May 10, 2019, a 31-year-old man passed away at the Ottawa Civic Hospital. He had been admitted to hospital in critical condition on May 2, 2019, following his apprehension by several Ontario Provincial Police officers at a home in Hawkesbury. The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has determined that in terms of the force that was used and the care the officers exercised, they acted lawfully throughout their involvement with the man. Accordingly, there is no basis to proceed with charges and the file is closed.5 March, 2020
SIU Finds No Basis to Proceed with Charges in Relation to Man’s Arrest in Cambridge
On June 1, 2019, a 29-year-old man was arrested twice by Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS) officers. On the second arrest, the man suffered a fracture of his right arm. The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has determined there are no reasonable grounds to lay criminal charges against a WRPS officer in relation to this incident.3 March, 2020
No Criminal Wrongdoing Found in Relation to Police-involved Shooting in Etobicoke
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has determined there are no reasonable grounds to lay criminal charges against a Toronto Police Service officer in relation to a police-involved shooting on April 7, 2019 in an Etobicoke condominium. As a result of the shooting, an 18-year-old male sustained a gunshot wound to his right forearm.2 March, 2020
No Criminal Wrongdoing Found in Relation to Arrest of Barricaded Man in East York
On the night of June 18, 2019, Toronto Police Service officers were dispatched to a home in East York after a resident of the home reported that a man had forced his way into the residence and was currently barricaded in a bedroom while in the possession of a knife or fork. The house was contained from the outside pending the arrival of the Emergency Task Force (ETF). ETF officers entered the home and attempted to communicate with the man. Concerned for the man’s well-being, the officers forced the bedroom door open and arrested the man. Following his arrest, the man was taken to hospital where he was treated for stab wounds and a collapsed lung. The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has determined there is no basis for proceeding with charges in this case and the file is closed.2 March, 2020
No Charges to Issue in Relation to Thunder Bay Collision between Police and Civilian Vehicle
On June 11, 2019, an Ontario Provincial Police vehicle became involved in a collision with a civilian vehicle in the area of Golf Links Road and Donald Caddo Drive in Thunder Bay. Two individuals from the civilian vehicle – a 75-year-old man and a 62-year-old woman – suffered serious injuries. A 37-year-old male police officer from the police vehicle was also seriously injured. The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has determined there are no reasonable grounds to believe that the officer who was driving the police vehicle committed a criminal offence in connection with the accident.28 February, 2020
SIU Terminates Sioux Lookout Investigation
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has terminated an investigation into the serious injury sustained in November by a 22-year-old man in Sioux Lookout.28 February, 2020
SIU Director Recognizes Patience and Vigilance of OPP Officers During Orillia Standoff; Investigation Discontinued
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has terminated an investigation into the serious injuries sustained last month by a 31-year-old man in Orillia.27 February, 2020
No Charges to Issue in Relation to Man’s Arrest by OPP Caledon Detachment Officers
On March 1, 2019, officers from the Caledon Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to a 911 call requesting police assistance. OPP officers responded to the residence and arrested and handcuffed a 43-year-old man, following which they transported him to the Nottawasaga OPP Detachment. The man later filed a complaint about the arrest with the Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD), with the matter coming to the SIU’s attention in August of 2019. SIU Director Joseph Martino has determined there are no reasonable grounds to believe that any police officer involved in the man’s arrest or imprisonment, assaulted him, causing any injury, and the file is closed.27 February, 2020
No Charges to Issue in Relation to Man’s Fall onto Highway 407 Exit Ramp
On September 12, 2019, several calls were received by the Ontario Provincial Police from motorists reporting the presence of a man on the metal gantry across the Highway 407 eastbound exit ramp leading to Highway 410. Several officers were dispatched to the scene, with two officers parking their cruisers in the area below the 29-year-old man. As these two officers emerged simultaneously from their vehicles and walked towards the man, the man fell from the gantry and landed in front of the officers. The man was transported to hospital where he was diagnosed with severe injuries, including a fractured skull. SIU Director Joseph Martino has determined there are no reasonable grounds to believe that either officer committed a criminal offence in connection with the man’s fall.26 February, 2020
No Criminal Wrongdoing Found in Relation to Arrest of Man in Mississauga
On the afternoon of September 12, 2019, Peel Regional Police officers arrested two individuals in relation to break-and-enters that were being investigated. When a third individual escaped apprehension and ran away, an officer gave chase. Following a struggle that ensued between the officer and the 33-year-old man, the man was arrested. The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has determined there are no reasonable grounds to lay criminal charges against the officer in relation to the facial factures the man suffered in the course of his arrest.26 February, 2020
No Charges to Issue in Relation to Arrest of Woman Traveling Wrong Way on Highway 417
On the evening of April 12, 2019, Ontario Provincial Police officers were investigating the driving behavior of a 58-year-old woman who was operating her vehicle on Highway 417. When the woman began traveling west in the eastbound lanes, an officer used his cruiser to force her off the roadway. The woman was arrested, and then taken to hospital where she was diagnosed with a fracture to her lower leg. The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has determined there are no reasonable grounds to lay criminal charges against the officer in relation to the woman’s arrest and injury.25 February, 2020
No Charges to Issue in Relation to Orangeville Case
In the early morning hours of June 2, 2019, a 36-year-old woman was arrested and transported to the Orangeville Police Service (OPS) headquarter where she was lodged in a cell. While in the cell, the woman ingested cocaine and fell into medical distress. Paramedics attended the police station and transported her to hospital where she was placed on life support. While SIU Director Joseph Martino says the woman ought to have been subjected to a more thorough search and medical attention secured sooner than it was after she ingested cocaine in her cell, he is unable to reasonably conclude that any of the officers who dealt with the woman transgressed the limits of care prescribed by the criminal law.25 February, 2020
SIU Terminates Investigation into Woman’s Fall from Roof of Ambulance Garage in Peterborough
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has terminated an investigation into the falling injury sustained by a 28-year-old woman earlier this month in Peterborough.24 February, 2020
SIU Terminates Investigation into Death of Man in Windsor
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has terminated an investigation into the death last month of a 51-year-old man in Windsor.24 February, 2020
No Charges to Issue in Relation to Brant County Interaction
In the early morning hours of July 3, 2019, a group of individuals pranked a home in Brant County multiple times by knocking on the home’s door, and then fleeing. The home’s owner, a Brantford Police Service officer, and another officer, waited to see if the individuals would return. When they did return, the second officer became involved in an interaction with a 16-year-old male and informed the youth he was under arrest. The officers had the youths wait for the arrival of the OPP. The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has determined there are no reasonable grounds to lay criminal charges against any police officer in relation to this incident.21 February, 2020
SIU Terminates Investigation into Interaction that Occurred While Man Lodged in Windsor Cell
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has terminated an investigation into the injury sustained last month by a 40-year-old man in Windsor.21 February, 2020
No Charges to Issue in Relation to Shooting Death of Man in Ottawa
On January 31, 2019, 30-year-old Gregory Ritchie was shot at several times by two Ottawa Police Service officers. Mr. Ritchie was subsequently transported to hospital where he was pronounced deceased, the result of a gunshot wound he had sustained. The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has determined there are no reasonable grounds to lay criminal charges against any of the officers in relation to Mr. Ritchie’s death.19 February, 2020
OPP Officer Charged with Sexual Assault in Relation to Aurora Incident
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), Joseph Martino, has caused a charge to be laid against an Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officer in relation to an incident that reportedly occurred in August of 2019 in Aurora. The officer is with the Niagara satellite detachment of the Burlington detachment.19 February, 2020
No Charges to Issue in Relation to Arrest of Man in Belleville
After midnight on August 6, 2019, Belleville Police Service (BPS) officers attended a residence to deal with a domestic situation. In the course of being arrested by officers, a 38-year-old man suffered arm fractures. The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has determined there are no reasonable grounds to lay criminal charges against a BPS officer in relation to the serious injury sustained by the man.19 February, 2020
Man’s Injury Self-inflicted; SIU Terminates Scarborough Investigation
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has terminated an investigation into the serious injury sustained by a 47-year-old man earlier this month during his arrest by Toronto Police Service officers.18 February, 2020
No Charges to Issue in Relation to Arrest of Man in Toronto Condominium Parking Lot
On the evening of December 7, 2018, Toronto Police Service (TPS) officers were investigating a 24-year-old man in relation to drug trafficking offences. When the vehicle in which the man was a passenger entered a condominium parking lot, plainclothes officers in unmarked vehicles followed and conducted a high-risk takedown of the van and its occupants. The 24-year-old man was arrested and later taken to hospital where he was diagnosed with an orbital bone fracture. The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has determined there are no reasonable grounds to lay criminal charges against a TPS officer in this case.18 February, 2020
No Grounds to Proceed with Charges in Relation to Collision Between Snowmobile and Cruiser in Wawa
On April 3, 2019, there was a collision between a snowmobile and an Ontario Provincial Police cruiser on Highway 101 in Wawa. The snowmobile operator was transported to hospital where he was treated for multiple fractures of his left leg. While Director Joseph Martino has no doubt that the officer was driving dangerously in the moments before the collision, and that his dangerous driving was largely responsible for what occurred, he is of the view that the evidence falls just short of justifying criminal charges against the officer.16 February, 2020
SIU Investigating Man’s Fall from Apartment Balcony in Oakville
The province’s Special Investigations Unit is investigating the circumstances surrounding the serious injuries sustained by a 40-year-old man this morning in Oakville.12 February, 2020
SIU Investigating Death of Man in Alfred
The province’s Special Investigations Unit is investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a 50-year-old man yesterday in Alfred, west of Hawkesbury.5 February, 2020
SIU Investigating Woman’s Fall from Ambulance Garage in Peterborough
The province’s Special Investigations Unit is investigating the circumstances surrounding the injury sustained by a 28-year-old woman yesterday in Peterborough when she fell from the ambulance garage of a hospital.3 February, 2020
UPDATE: Man Who was Shot by Police Officers in Scarborough has Died
On January 18, 2020, the SIU commenced an investigation into a police-involved shooting in Scarborough. As a result of the shooting, a 37-year-old man was taken to hospital for treatment. The man was pronounced dead in hospital this morning.30 January, 2020
No Criminal Wrongdoing Found in Relation to Arrest of Man in his Sudbury Home
On April 4, 2019, a 44-year-old man was arrested by Greater Sudbury Police Service officers and suffered injuries in the process. The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has determined there are no reasonable grounds to lay criminal charges against any of the arresting officers in relation to the man’s injuries, which included a spine fracture and two broken ribs.28 January, 2020
Man’s Injury in Cell Self-inflicted; SIU Terminates Barrie Investigation
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has terminated an investigation into the serious injury sustained last month by a 37-year-old man while he was lodged in a police station cell in Barrie.24 January, 2020
SIU Investigating Injury to Man in Georgetown
The province’s Special Investigations Unit is investigating the circumstances surrounding the serious injury sustained by a 46-year-old man earlier this week in Georgetown.23 January, 2020
SIU Lays Assault Charge Against Police Officer in Relation to Guelph Arrest
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), Joseph Martino, has reasonable grounds to believe a Guelph Police Service (GPS) officer committed a criminal offence in relation to the arrest of an 18-year-old male in October of 2019. As a result, Director Martino has caused a charge to be laid against the officer.18 January, 2020
SIU Investigating Police-involved Shooting in Scarborough
The province’s Special Investigations Unit is investigating the circumstances surrounding a police-involved shooting today in Scarborough.16 January, 2020
SIU Terminates Investigation into Interaction Between Man and Police Officers in Brampton
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has terminated an investigation into a November 2019 interaction that occurred in Brampton between a 31-year-old man and Peel Regional Police officers.16 January, 2020
SIU Terminates Investigation into Cobourg Arrest
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has terminated an investigation into the arrest last month of a 22-year-old man by Cobourg Police Service (CPS) officers.13 January, 2020
SIU Terminates Investigation into Discharge of Firearm by Police Officer in Richmond Hill
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has terminated an investigation into an exchange of gunfire that occurred last month between a 34-year-old man and a York Regional Police officer in Richmond Hill.10 January, 2020
No Criminal Wrongdoing Found in Relation to Police-involved Shooting in Vaughan
Then Interim Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has determined there are no reasonable grounds to lay criminal charges against a York Regional Police officer in relation to a police-involved shooting on August 13, 2019 in Vaughan. The driver of a vehicle being investigated by police was shot multiple times in the course of his arrest and was taken to hospital for treatment of gunshot wounds.10 January, 2020
No Basis to Lay Charges Against Police Officer in Relation to Arrest of Teenager in St. Thomas
Then Interim Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has determined there are no reasonable grounds to lay criminal charges against a St. Thomas Police Service officer in relation to the serious injury sustained by a 14-year-old female in the course of her arrest on June 25, 2019.10 January, 2020
UPDATE: Man Who was Shot by Police Officer in Mississauga has Died
On January 7, 2020, the SIU commenced an investigation into a police-involved shooting in Mississauga. As a result of the shooting, a 28-year-old man was taken to hospital for treatment. The man succumbed to his injuries today.9 January, 2020
SIU Terminates Investigation into Interaction Between Man and Niagara Regional Police Service Officers
The Interim Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has terminated an investigation into a July 3, 2016 interaction between a man and police officers. The SIU became aware of the incident on October 8, 2019 when notified by the Niagara Regional Police Service.7 January, 2020
No Charges to Issue in Relation to Kenora Arrest
On May 11, 2019, a 27-year-old man was arrested by Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officers in Kenora. He was lodged in a cell, and then transported to hospital after he complained of pain in one leg. The Interim Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has determined there are no reasonable grounds to lay criminal charges against an OPP officer in relation to the fractured and dislocated left knee with which the man was diagnosed.
7 January, 2020
SIU Investigating Police-involved Shooting in Mississauga
The province’s Special Investigations Unit is investigating the circumstances surrounding a police-involved shooting this evening in Mississauga.4 January, 2020
SIU Investigating Death of Man in Windsor
The province’s Special Investigations Unit is investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a 51-year-old man last night in Windsor.3 January, 2020
No Charges to Issue in Relation to Police Pursuit that Preceded Collision in Toronto
On the morning of June 26, 2019, the Toronto Police Service (TPS) was made aware of a carjacking of a KIA. In the area of Weston Road and Little Avenue, a TPS officer spotted the stolen KIA and pursued it. A short time later, the KIA crashed into a dump truck. The 39-year-old male driver exited the vehicle following the collision and was arrested. The Interim Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has determined there are no reasonable grounds to lay criminal charges against the officer in relation to the fractured nose and fractured right-side rib the man sustained.2 January, 2020
UPDATE: Man Who Sustained Gunshot Wounds in St. Catharines has Died
On December 31, 2019, the SIU commenced an investigation into a police-involved shooting in St. Catharines. As a result of the shooting, a 56-year-old man was taken to hospital for treatment. The man has since succumbed to his injuries. He was pronounced dead yesterday at 12:27 p.m.2 January, 2020
No Charges Warranted in Relation to Toronto Collision that Resulted in Death of Man and Injuries to his Wife
On June 22, 2019, a Toronto Police Service officer attempted to stop a Honda Civic to investigate its occupants. Moments later, the Civic t-boned a Chevrolet Malibu in the intersection of Scarborough Golf Club Road and Lawrence Avenue East. The 77-year-old driver of the Malibu died tragically in the collision, and his 74-year-old wife, who was sitting in the passenger seat, suffered serious injuries. The Interim Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has determined there are no reasonable grounds to lay criminal charges in relation to this case.1 January, 2020
SIU Investigating Police-Involved Shooting in St. Catharines
The province’s Special Investigations Unit is investigating the circumstances surrounding a police-involved shooting yesterday in St. Catharines that resulted in serious injuries to a 56-year-old man.1 January, 2020