News Release
SIU Investigates Death in Niagara
Case Number: 07-OCD-145
Other News Releases Related to Case 07-OCD-145
SIU Appeals for Witnesses in Niagara Death
SIU Concludes Investigation into Custody Death Involving Niagara Regional Police
The SIU was notified that at approximately 5:30 a.m. this morning, Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) officers responded to an emergency call from a man who reported that people were chasing him. The first responding officer arrived at approximately 5:34 a.m. to the parking lot of the Planet Hollywood restaurant at Bender Street and Falls Avenue to speak with the man. The man was acting in a bizarre manner and ran away from the officer.
Several officers arrived to assist and the man was eventually taken into police custody. Paramedics also arrived and the man was assessed. At approximately 6:09 a.m., the man went into medical distress. He was taken to Greater Niagara General Hospital where he died.
A post mortem examination is scheduled for tomorrow in Hamilton.
SIU investigators are focusing on the events leading up to this man's death to determine what the nature and extent of police involvement was. Investigators are appealing for anyone who witnessed this incident to contact the Unit at 416-622-1965 or 1-800-787-8529 x 1965.
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