News Release
SIU Concludes Investigation into Man’s Death in Hamilton
Case Number: 24-OCD-296
Other News Releases Related to Case 24-OCD-296
The Special Investigations Unit found no reasonable grounds to believe three Hamilton Police Service officers committed a criminal offence in connection with the death of a 49-year-old man. On the night of July 8, 2024, police were called to an address near York Road and Watsons Lane to assist paramedics. Due to the man’s agitation, they needed help from officers to control the limbs of the man while they sedated him to safely transport him to hospital. The man died the following day in hospital.
Director Joseph Martino was satisfied that the subject officials comported themselves with due care and regard for the man’s health and wellbeing.
The man’s cause of death was “complications of cocaine toxicity in a man with hypertensive heart disease, atherosclerotic coronary artery disease and physical activity”.
Full Director’s Report (with Incident Narrative, Evidence, and Analysis & Director’s Decision):
The SIU is an independent government agency that investigates the conduct of officials (municipal, regional and provincial police officers, police officers with the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service, 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.
Kristy Denette, siu.media@ontario.ca
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES