News Release
Peel Region Police Officer Charged
Case Number: 03-OCI-031
Other News Releases Related to Case 03-OCI-031
The incident occurred on March 27, 2003. On this date, officers with the PRP took Quang Hoang Tran into custody in connection with an ongoing investigation. While in an interview room at the police station, there was an interaction between an officer and Mr. Tran, and Mr. Tran sustained a broken jaw. The SIU commenced an investigation, which culminated in a conclusion by a former SIU Director that no reasonable grounds existed to charge the involved subject officer.
However, this case was recently reopened as a result of comments made by the Ontario Court of Appeal in its decision, R. v. Tran et al released on June 30, 2010. Director Scott reviewed the file, including the transcripts from the pre-trial motion heard in 2006, and concluded that he had reasonable and probable grounds to believe that PRP Constable Will Vander Wier committed a criminal offence against Mr. Tran in relation to the 2003 incident. The officer is facing one charge of Aggravated Assault, contrary to s. 268 of the Criminal Code of Canada.
The officer is required to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice at 7755 Hurontario Street in Brampton on August 30, 2010. The Justice Prosecutions branch 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.
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