News Release

News Release

SIU Terminates Investigation into Man’s Reported Concussion in St. Catharines Arrest

Case Number: 24-OCI-159   

Mississauga, ON (1 August, 2024) ---
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has terminated an investigation into a reported concussion suffered by a 46-year-old man last February.

On April 11, 2024, the man contacted the SIU, alleging he suffered a concussion in an interaction with Niagara Regional Police Service officers on February 4, 2024. Based on the SIU’s preliminary inquiries, Director Martino was satisfied the investigation should be discontinued. The man refused to provide the SIU a statement or to authorize the release of his medical records.  As far as the SIU can gather further to information received from the police service, the man’s complaint stems from an incident on February 4, 2024, in which he was arrested and charged with Highway Traffic Act and Criminal Code offences.  He was subsequently taken to hospital when he complained of headache and then released with no serious injuries.  On this record, there was insufficient evidentiary foundation from which to proceed with an investigation. As such, the file has been closed.

Every consideration will be given to re-opening the investigation if and when the man decides to cooperate with the SIU.   

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

Lisez ce communiqué en français.

Kristy Denette, siu.media@ontario.ca
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES