News Release
SIU Concludes Investigation into Woman’s Broken Arm in Kenora
Case Number: 25-PCI-065
The Special Investigations Unit found no reasonable grounds to believe two Ontario Provincial Police officers committed a criminal offence in connection with the fractured left arm suffered by a 34-year-old woman. On February 16, 2025, officers arrested the woman in relation to a domestic disturbance following a call to police from her partner at an apartment in the area of Main Street South and Veterans Drive.
Director Joseph Martino found that the officers, aware of the woman’s level of intoxication, did what they could to mitigate the risk during her escort down the stairs by positioning themselves slightly behind and in front of her. They managed to get down safely to the final few steps when the woman regrettably stumbled and fell, likely fracturing her arm at this time. While the officers were unable to prevent the woman’s fall, Director Martino concluded it did not appear that it was from a lack of reasonable efforts on their part.
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.
Monica Hudon, siu.media@ontario.ca
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES