News Release
SIU Concludes Investigation into Man’s Broken Rib During Arrest in Wellington County
Case Number: 25-PCI-077
The Special Investigations Unit found no reasonable grounds to believe an Ontario Provincial Police officer committed a criminal offence in connection with the fractured rib suffered by a 40-year-old male. On February 23, 2025, the man was arrested by OPP officers a park area located south of Main Street at its intersection with Norman Street in Palmerston following a call to police about a domestic disturbance and property damage.
Evidence suggested the man adopted an aggressive posture towards the officers and refused to surrender his arms to be handcuffed on the ground, leading to the officer punching the man in the ribs. On this rendition of events, Director Joseph Martino found the singular strike did not appear a disproportionate use of force in order overcome the man’s resistance and secure him in custody.
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