News Release

SIU Investigates Custody Death Involving the Peel Regional Police Service

Case Number: 08-OCI-194   

TORONTO (17 September, 2008) --- The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) is probing the circumstances surrounding the death of a Brampton man, who died September 17, 2008 while in the custody of Peel Regional Police.

On September 16, 2008, 42-year-old Sean Reilly was arrested at a residence in Mississauga on a charge of assault with a weapon and taken to Number 12 Division on Dixie Road at approximately 5 p.m. During a struggle in the cell area, a Taser was used to subdue him. Mr. Reilly went into medical distress and was taken to the Trillium Health Centre where he died at approximately 4:45 a.m. today. A post-mortem to determine the cause of death has not yet been scheduled.

The SIU has designated four subject officers and one witness officer as part of its investigation.

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
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES