News Release
Sioux Lookout OPP Officer Charged with Assault
Case Number: 25-PCI-043
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has reasonable grounds to believe an Ontario Provincial Police officer committed a criminal offence in Sioux Lookout. This investigation relates to the serious injury sustained by a 50-year-old man during his arrest on January 31, 2025.
As a result of the SIU investigation, Cst Michael Berger is charged with one count of assault, contrary to section 266 of the Criminal Code. Cst Berger is required to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice at 18-4th Avenue in Sioux Lookout on July 29, 2025, at 9 a.m.
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.
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