News Release

SIU Investigating Death in Peterborough

Case Number: 15-OCD-118   

Mississauga (11 June, 2015) --- Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) is probing the circumstances surrounding the death of a 39-year-old man today in Peterborough.

Preliminary information indicates the following:

  • The 39-year-old man, who was in custody of the Central East Correctional Centre, had been admitted to the Peterborough Regional Health Centre for medical reasons. An officer from the Peterborough Police Service and an officer from the OPP Peterborough Detachment were providing security;
  • At approximately 1 a.m. on Thursday, June 11, 2015, the man became agitated. At the request of medical staff, he was restrained by the officers and by health professionals;
  • Shortly after, the man went vital signs absent and was subsequently pronounced dead.

Four investigators and two forensic investigators have been assigned to investigate this incident.  Anyone who may have information regarding this case is asked to contact the Unit at 1-800-787-8529 Ext. 1988.

If you or someone you know is an affected person in need of support, please call the Affected Persons Program General Referral Line at 1-877-641-1897 or click here for more information: siu.on.ca/en/apc.php

The SIU is an independent government agency that investigates the conduct of officials (police officers as well as 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