News Release
SIU Concludes Investigation into Custody Death of Sudbury Man
Case Number: 07-OCD-088
Other News Releases Related to Case 07-OCD-088
Four SIU investigators and two forensic investigators were assigned to probe the circumstances of this death.
The SIU investigation determined that on May 11, 2007, a 911 call was made asking for an ambulance to attend a Bellevue Street, Sudbury address. A family member said that Mr. Jeanveau had fallen in the living room of the home and needed medical care. Paramedics went to the home and while trying to assess Mr. Jeanveau, he became aggressive and uncooperative. The paramedics called for police assistance.
A GSPS officer arrived at the home a short time later. Mr. Jeanveau continued his aggressive behaviour and, as a result, more GSPS officers were called to assist. The on-scene officer pepper-sprayed Mr. Jeanveau, but Mr. Jeanveau continued to resist. Mr. Jeanveau was taken to the ground and unsuccessful attempts were made to handcuff him. When the other officers arrived they were able to get Mr. Jeanveau handcuffed. Once handcuffed, Mr. Jeanveau stopped struggling and went into medical distress. The paramedics began resuscitative efforts and transported Mr. Jeanveau to St. Joseph's Health Centre. At 12:29 a.m. May 12, 2007, Mr. Jeanveau was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Director Cornish said, "I do not believe that the evidence discloses reasonable grounds to believe that the force used here was unreasonable or criminally excessive. Some force was obviously necessary for the officers to bring this struggle to an end and open hand techniques together with the application of pepper spray were the only use of force options used. The tragic outcome of this incident does not dictate that the force used was criminally unreasonable."
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