News Release
SIU Concludes Investigation into Woman’s Broken Ankle in Kashechewan First Nation
Case Number: 25-ICI-338
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, found no reasonable grounds to believe two Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service (NAPS) officers committed a criminal offence in connection with the fractured right ankle suffered by a 32-year-old woman while fleeing officers. On August 31, 2025, officers went to the woman’s home following a report she was allegedly inebriated while caring for a child. The officers heard yelling and entered the home. At about the same time, the woman jumped from the window.
Director Martino concluded the officers did not see her until she had already injured herself outside. There was evidence gathered about the adequacy of the care the woman received while in police custody. This was referred to the NAPS Chief of Police and Law Enforcement Complaints Agency for further investigation.
Full Director’s Report (with Incident Narrative, Evidence, and Analysis & Director’s Decision):
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