News Release
Due to Absence of Statement, SIU Discontinues Investigation into Woodstock Arrest
Case Number: 25-OCI-166
The Deputy Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Stacey O’Brien, has terminated an investigation into the arrest of a 38-year-old man in April in Woodstock.
In the evening of April 25, 2025, the man was arrested by Woodstock Police Service officers in the area of Dundas Street and Peel Street. A struggle ensued during the arrest. The man was taken to the ground, physically restrained, and eventually handcuffed and transported to the police station. While in cells, the man complained of pain to his ribs and was transported to hospital. He was reportedly diagnosed with a rib fracture.
Based on the SIU’s preliminary inquiries, Deputy Director O’Brien was satisfied the investigation should be discontinued. After initially indicating that he would provide a statement to the SIU and making arrangements to do so on more than one occasion, efforts by the SIU to interview the man since the incident were unsuccessful. In the absence of a statement, there was an insufficient evidentiary foundation from which to proceed with an investigation. The file has been closed.
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.
Monica Hudon, siu.media@ontario.ca
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES