News Release
SIU Terminates Investigation into Injuries Suffered by Man While Lodged in Cell at OPP Temiskaming Detachment
Case Number: 24-PCI-293
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has terminated an investigation into the injuries suffered by a 40-year-old man who was lodged in a cell at the OPP Temiskaming Detachment in July.
In the morning of July 5, 2024, having been arrested the day before, the man found himself in a cell at the OPP Temiskaming Detachment. He was of unsound mind at the time and set upon a course of self-harm in the cell. This consisted of the man falling backwards such that his head would strike the cell concrete bench on the way down. Officers attempted to enter the cell to render assistance but were thwarted for a period by the man holding the door closed. Eventually, with the use of a conducted energy weapon, officers were able to gain entry and subsequently remove the man from the cell. Paramedics on scene took him away to hospital, where he was treated for cuts to the head.
Based on the SIU’s preliminary inquiries, including a review of video footage that largely captured the incident, Director Martino was satisfied the investigation should be discontinued. On this record, it would appear the man’s custodians did nothing that could conceivably attract criminal sanction in connection with his injuries. The file has been closed.
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