News Release
SIU Charges Hamilton Police Officer After Woman Seriously Injured During Arrest
Case Number: 25-OCI-076
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has reasonable grounds to believe a Hamilton Police Service officer committed a criminal offence. The investigation relates to the serious injury suffered by a 59-year-old woman during her arrest in Hamilton on February 23, 2025.
As a result of the SIU investigation, Cst Matthew Eleftheriou is charged with aggravated assault, contrary to section 268 of the Criminal Code.
Cst Eleftheriou is required to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice at 45 Main Street West in Hamilton on October 20, 2025, at 9 a.m.
As the matter is before the courts, and in consideration of the fair trial interests of the accused, the SIU will not provide further comment on the investigation.
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