News Release
Niagara Regional Police Service Police Oficer Charged
Case Number: 07-OCI-129
Other News Releases Related to Case 07-OCI-129
SIU Appeals for Witnesses to Custody Injury in Niagara Falls
On July 6, 2007, NRPS officers stopped a vehicle being driven by a 53-year-old Toronto man on Dorchester Rd. in Niagara Falls to conduct an investigation. The man was arrested and during the arrest he allegedly suffered a broken arm.
Later on in the afternoon of July 6, 2007, the NRPS became aware of the extent of the man’s injuries and notified the SIU. Four SIU investigators were assigned to probe the circumstances of the arrest.
Based on the results of the SIU investigation, the Director concluded there are reasonable grounds to believe that Constable Christopher Chirico of the NRPS committed the offence of assault causing bodily harm, contrary to section 267(b) of the Criminal Code of Canada.
A summons has been issued requiring the officer to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in St. Catharines on January 30, 2008, to answer to the charge. Justice Prosecutions of the Ministry of the Attorney General will have carriage of the prosecution.
As this matter is now before the courts, and in consideration of the fair trial interests of the charged officer and the community, the SIU will make no further comment pertaining to this investigation.
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Frank Phillips
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES
Telephone/No de telephone: 416-622-2342 or/ou 1-800-787-8529
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