News Release

News Release

OPP Officer with Southern Georgian Bay Detachment Charged with Sexual Assault

Case Number: 26-PSA-090   

Mississauga, ON (18 August, 2026) ---
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), Joseph Martino, has reasonable grounds to believe an Ontario Provincial Police officer with the Southern Georgian Bay Detachment committed criminal offences in December of 2025 against a woman in the Township of Tay. The SIU was made aware of the allegations by the OPP on February 24, 2026.

As a result of the SIU investigation, Sgt Blake Hamilton is facing the following charges under the Criminal Code: 
  • Two counts of sexual assault, contrary to section 271; and
  • Two counts of breach of trust, contrary to section 122.

Sgt Hamilton was arrested at SIU headquarters this morning and later released on several conditions, including that he refrain from communicating directly or indirectly with the affected person.

Sgt Hamilton is required to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice at 605 Yonge Street in Midland at 9:30 a.m. on September 10, 2026.

As the matter is before the courts, and in consideration of the fair trial interests of the accused, the SIU will not provide further comment on the investigation. 

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