News Release

News Release

SIU Concludes Investigation into Man’s Rib Fractures in Timmins

Case Number: 26-OCI-297   

Other News Releases Related to Case 26-OCI-297

SIU Appealing for Witnesses to Timmins Arrest

Mississauga, ON (22 October, 2026) ---
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, found no reasonable grounds to believe a Timmins Police Service officer committed a criminal offence in connection with the serious injury of a 28-year-old man.  On the night of June 24, 2026, police were called to the Circle K on Algonquin Boulevard West as the man reportedly had a knife, assaulted a guard and other customers, and stole a beer.

The officer located the man and chased him, catching him and forcing him to the ground. The man was put into the back of the cruiser and taken to the station. He was taken to a cell, and the man resisted while officers pinned him to the cell bench and tried to remove his handcuffs. The man was struck with the knee of an officer. The following morning, the man complained of rib pain, and he was taken to hospital. The man was diagnosed with two left-sided rib fractures.

Director Martino found the evidence, including video footage, did not establish the forced used was unlawful.

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