News Release
SIU Concludes Investigation into Man’s Broken Nose in Barrie Cell
Case Number: 25-OCI-319
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, found no reasonable grounds to believe two Barrie Police Service officers committed a criminal offence in connection with the fractured nose suffered by a 25-year-old man when he was in custody. On August 19, 2025, the man was arrested at the Georgian Mall.
When he arrived at his cell, without warning or provocation, the man punched an officer. The officer reacted with like force when he pushed the man back and delivered a series of his own punches in rapid succession. Another officer punched the man and third officer used his conducted energy weapon. Engaged as they were in a violent clash with the man, Director Martino found the officers were within their rights in responding with sharp force to immediately subdue and re-establish custody over their detainee.
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