News Release
SIU Terminates Investigation in Merrickville
Case Number: 05-PCI-177
The SIU assigned two investigators to probe the circumstances surrounding a 39-year-old woman's injuries. Investigators determined that on November 20th, at approximately 6:00 p.m., OPP officers responded to a collision in Kemptville and arrested a woman for impaired driving. After the arrest, the woman had difficulty breathing and collapsed. She was taken to Ottawa Civic Hospital for treatment. On November 21, 2005, she was released from hospital into police custody with no injuries.
As part of the investigation, investigators interviewed the treating physician and the woman and confirmed the woman's collapse was because of her intoxicated state.
Based upon the information gathered, Director James Cornish has decided to terminate the investigation because of the fact the woman suffered no serious injury during this incident.
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