News Release
SIU Concludes Investigation into Man’s Drug Overdose in Tillsonburg Cell
Case Number: 24-OCI-551
The Special Investigations Unit found no reasonable grounds to believe a London Police Service officer committed a criminal offence in connection with the drug overdose suffered by a 39-year-old man. On December 23, 2024, the man lapsed into medical distress while in the custody of the Ontario Provincial Police in Tillsonburg, following his arrest by a London Police Service officer. There was evidence the man retrieved and consumed a quantity of fentanyl secreted in his buttocks and fell ill in his cell.
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.
Monica Hudon, siu.media@ontario.ca
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES