News Release
SIU Concludes Temiskaming Shores Investigation
Case Number: 07-OCD-056
Three SIU investigators probed the circumstances surrounding Mr. Marttila's death to determine the nature and extent of police involvement. The SIU investigation determined that on March 27, 2007, at approximately 1:50 p.m., a TSPS officer went to an address on Whitewood Ave. in New Liskeard regarding a complaint of a man sitting on the steps in a sleepy condition. The officer spoke to the man, Mr. Marttila, and offered to give him a place to sleep at the police station.
Mr. Marttila was lodged in a cell at approximately 2:05 p.m. He was monitored by audio and video at the police station, and TSPS staff conducted regular cell checks every 30 minutes until 9:45 p.m., when Mr. Marttila was found to be in distress.
Emergency life saving efforts commenced immediately. An ambulance was called and Mr. Marttila was taken to the Temiskaming Hospital where resuscitation efforts continued but were unsuccessful. Mr. Marttila was pronounced dead at 11:10 p.m.
Director Cornish concluded, "Toxicological tests conducted upon the body of Mr. Marttila showed that he had lethal levels of a prescribed drug in his body. It appears clear on the evidence that he had ingested that drug before he was taken into the cells. I do not believe that there was a breach of the duty of care imposed on these officers by the criminal law."
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