News Release

SIU Concludes Investigation into Chatham Sexual Assault Allegation

Case Number: 13-PSA-005   

Mississauga (14 January, 2013) --- The Director of the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), Ian Scott, has concluded that there are no reasonable grounds to believe an Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officer with the Chatham detachment committed a sexual assault against a 34-year-old woman during the summer of 2012.

The OPP brought the complaint to the attention of the SIU on January 8, 2013.

As is our policy with all sexual assault complaints investigated by the SIU, we will not be making any further comment.

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