News Release

News Release

SIU Concludes Investigation into Teen Injured During Arrest at Kitchener LCBO

Case Number: 25-OCI-350   

Mississauga, ON (2 January, 2026) ---
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, found no reasonable grounds to believe a Waterloo Regional Police Service officer committed a criminal offence in connection with the fractured right rib suffered by a 16-year-old girl. On September 6, 2025, the off-duty officer saw the girl attempt to steal three bottles of alcohol from an LCBO on Ottawa Street North. The officer tried to arrest her for theft, and she tried to get away. In the entrance of the store, the officer forced her down to the floor and pinned her down while she continued to struggle. He moved her into the store and forced her to the floor again until additional officers arrived.

While Director Martino accepted that the girl’s injuries were incurred in the altercation that marked her arrest, there were no reasonable and probable grounds to believe that they were the result of any unlawful conduct on the part of the officer.

Full Director’s Report (with Incident Narrative, Evidence, and Analysis & Director’s Decision): 

If you or someone you know has been negatively affected by an incident under SIU investigation and would like support, the Affected Persons Program is here to help. You can reach us at 1-877-641-1897. Support is free, confidential, and available 24/7, every day of the year.

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