News Release

News Release

No Basis to Proceed with Charges in Relation to Windsor Arrest

Case Number: 26-OCI-226   

Mississauga, ON (4 September, 2026) ---
On the evening of May 21, 2026, staff of a Windsor Holiday Inn Express contacted police to report that a man had urinated in the lobby and had harassed employees and guests. Officers located the man a short distance from the hotel, approached him and took hold of his arms. A struggle ensued. Eventually, with the arrival of a prisoner van, the 47-year-old man was lifted to his feet and escorted to the vehicle. Paramedics arrived at the station, sedated the man and transported him to hospital where he was diagnosed with a fractured nose. On his assessment of the evidence, SIU Director Joseph Martino determined there were no reasonable grounds to believe that an officer committed a criminal offence in connection with the man’s arrest and injury.
     
Full Director’s Report (with Incident Narrative, Evidence, and Analysis & Director’s Decision): https://www.siu.on.ca/en/directors_reports.php.

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.

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