News Release

Two Leamington Police Officers Charged

Case Number: 07-OCI-092   

TORONTO (3 October, 2007) --- The Director of the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), James Cornish, has reasonable grounds to believe that two Leamington Police Service (LPS) officers are criminally responsible for the serious injuries to 30-year-old Jimmy Elias Jr. and has caused criminal charges to be laid against the officers.

On May 12, 2007, LPS officers tried to stop Mr. Elias, who was driving a truck and traveling on Marlborough Street East. Mr. Elias was eventually arrested in a parking lot on Industrial Road and allegedly sustained two broken ribs during the arrest.

On May 17, 2007, the LPS became aware of the extent of Mr. Elias's injuries and notified the SIU. Five SIU investigators were assigned to probe the circumstances of the arrest.

Based on the results of the SIU investigation, the Director concluded there are reasonable grounds to believe that Constable Christopher Anderson and Constable Ryan Hutchison of the LPS each committed the offence of assault causing bodily harm, contrary to section 267(b) of the Criminal Code of Canada.

A summons has been issued requiring the officers to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Windsor on October 30, 2007, to answer to the charges. Justice Prosecutions of the Ministry of the Attorney General will have carriage of the prosecutions.

As these matters are now before the courts, and in consideration of the fair trial interests of the charged officers and the community, the SIU will make no further comment pertaining to this investigation.

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
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES