News Release

News Release

SIU Concludes Investigation into Man’s Broken Orbital Bone During Arrest in Niagara Region

Case Number: 26-OCI-016   

Mississauga, ON (5 May, 2026) ---
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, found no reasonable grounds to believe a Niagara Regional Police Service officer committed a criminal offence in connection with the fractured left orbital bone suffered by a 34-year-old man during his arrest in Lincoln. On January 11, 2026, police were called about the man in relation to a domestic disturbance in St. Catharines. The man fled to a shed on a residential property located in the area of Victoria Avenue North and North Service Road in Lincoln.  The man threatened officers with a knife and advanced toward officers. During his arrest, the officer punched the man and several strikes were delivered by two other officers as he struggled on the ground. 

Director Martino concluded that in the circumstances, the officer was within his rights in repelling the attack and he did so with a sharp and discrete use of force that was commensurate with the exigencies of the moment. 

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.

Kristy Denette, siu.media@ontario.ca
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES