News Release
SIU Appealing for Witnesses to Pikangikum Allegations
Case Number: 21-PSA-089
Other News Releases Related to Case 21-PSA-089
On March 19, 2021, the Ontario Provincial Police notified the SIU of two complaints in which it was alleged that women were sexually assaulted by members of the Ontario Provincial Police on Pikangikum First Nation. The SIU invoked its mandate.
Two investigators have been assigned to this case and are continuing to make efforts to determine what transpired. They are urging anyone with information regarding these allegations – direct or indirect – to contact the SIU at 1-800-787-8529 or complete the Appeal for Witness form on the SIU website. As a key step in the investigative process with witnesses, the SIU issues a Confidentiality Assurance. This Assurance provides that the individual’s privacy and confidentiality rights are protected to the extent possible.
By way of background, the SIU is an independent government agency – not affiliated with any police service – that investigates the conduct of certain law enforcement officials 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.
If you or someone you know is an affected person in need of support, please call the Affected Persons Program General Referral Line at 1-877-641-1897 or click here for more information: siu.on.ca/en/apc.php
The SIU is an independent government agency that investigates the conduct of officials (police officers as well as 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