News Release
SIU Investigates Man's Injury in Sarnia
Case Number: 07-OCI-052
Other News Releases Related to Case 07-OCI-052
SIU Concludes Investigation in Sarnia
SIU Updates Sarnia Investigation
At approximately 5:45 p.m. yesterday evening, Sarnia Police Service (SPS) officers responded to a domestic dispute at 275 Finch Drive. The officers entered the apartment and attempted to arrest a 43-year-old man. There was a confrontation during the course of the arrest and officers used a TASER device on the man. He was subdued and taken into police custody. A short time later, officers became aware that the man needed medical assistance and brought him to Sarnia General Hospital where he was admitted.
The SIU was notified early this morning when the man's condition deteriorated. He is currently in the Intensive Care Unit in critical condition. At this time, there is no further information available on the nature of his injuries. The SIU has assigned six investigators to probe the circumstances of the arrest and determine what role, if any, the police played in the man's injuries.
SIU investigators have designated one subject and seven witness officers from the SPS. The investigation is continuing.
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