News Release

SIU Concludes Investigation into Man’s Broken Nose During Burlington Arrest

Case Number: 24-OCI-290   

Mississauga, ON (30 October, 2024) ---
The Special Investigations Unit found no reasonable grounds to believe a Halton Regional Police Service officer committed a criminal offence in connection with a 36-year-old man seriously injured during his arrest in Burlington. On July 5, 2024, officers arrested the man in the area of Brant Street and Blairholm Avenue as he had a warrant for his arrest. During the arrest, an officer punched the man. He was diagnosed with a fractured nose.

Director Joseph Martino concluded the use of force was legally justified as the man had adopted an aggressive posture, intruded into another officer’s personal space, and had threatened to assault an officer. 
 
Full Director’s Report (with Incident Narrative, Evidence, and Analysis & Director’s Decision): 


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.

Monica Hudon, siu.media@ontario.ca
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES