News Release

News Release

SIU Closes Second Investigation into York Custody Injury

Case Number: 09-OCI-104   

Mississauga (1 June, 2010) --- On May 14, 2009, the York Regional Police Service notified the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) of an injury to Stephen Gregory during a roadside arrest at Hwy 7 and Weston Road in Vaughan. An investigation ensued, which culminated in a conclusion by Director Ian Scott that no reasonable grounds existed to charge any of the subject officers. The investigation determined that Mr. Gregory was arrested after driving slowly into the back of another automobile. When police officers arrived, he failed to identify himself and comply with their directions. They misapprehended Mr. Gregory's resistance as wilful belligerence and used force to remove him from his van, which resulted in Mr. Gregory suffering a fractured scapula. Regrettably, though the officers could not have known, Mr. Gregory's behaviour was actually the result of the acute onset of a medical condition at the time.
In April 2010, the SIU reopened the investigation after learning there were additional witnesses who wanted to provide information. These witnesses were interviewed, as was another witness who had provided a statement to the SIU during the original investigation but now claimed he had further information to provide.

Upon his review of the additional information, Director Scott concluded, "I continue to remain of the view that no probable cause exists to believe the subject officers committed a criminal offence in relation to the arrest of Mr. Gregory."

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