News Release

News Release

No Basis for Charges After Man’s Nose Broken in Bradford Arrest

Case Number: 25-OCI-524   

Mississauga, ON (17 April, 2026) ---
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, found no reasonable grounds to believe a South Simcoe Police Service officer committed a criminal offence in connection with the fractured nose suffered by a 55-year-old man during his arrest at a Canada Post outlet in Bradford. On December 20, 2025, staff contacted police to have a belligerent man removed from the premises.

The man refused to leave and resisted an officer’s efforts to leave the Canada Post outlet in the Shoppers Drug Mart on Holland Street West. Officers took the man to the floor and handcuffed him. He was taken to the hospital by paramedics.

While it was regrettable that the man’s nose was broken in the altercation that marked his arrest, Director Martino found no reasonable grounds to believe that the injury was attributable to unlawful behaviour of police.

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.

Monica Hudon, siu.media@ontario.ca
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES