News Release

News Release

SIU Concludes Investigation into Man’s Broken Nose in Kenora OPP Custody

Case Number: 26-PCI-075   

Mississauga, ON (27 May, 2026) ---
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, found no reasonable grounds to believe an Ontario Provincial Police officer committed a criminal offence in connection with the fractured nose suffered by a 41-year-old man. On February 14, 2026, the man was arrested for breach of the peace after he was intoxicated and an unwanted guest at a home, refusing to leave and causing the residents concern for their wellbeing. 

While at the detachment, the man appeared to make a fist near the face of one of the searching officers. The man was taken to the ground and struck as he refused officers’ efforts to control his arms behind his back.

While Director Martino accepted that the man’s broken nose was incurred in the altercation that marked his arrest, the likely result of the takedown and/or punch, there were no reasonable grounds to believe it is attributable to unlawful conduct.

Full Director’s Report (with Incident Narrative, Evidence, and Analysis & Director’s Decision):

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