News Release

News Release

SIU Concludes Investigation into Woman’s Broken Knee in Hamilton Arrest

Case Number: 26-OCI-255   

Mississauga, ON (25 September, 2026) ---
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, found no reasonable grounds to believe a Hamilton Police Service officer committed a criminal offence in connection with the serious injury of a 37-year-old woman.  On June 1, 2026, officers were dispatched to a residence in the area of Barton Street East and Gage Avenue North for a 911 call about the woman causing a disturbance.

The woman struck an officer in the chest and was arrested for assault. The woman struggled against the officer’s efforts to control her hands and bit officers. The woman was struck in the face and officers pinned her to the floor before she was handcuffed. Director Martino concluded the single strike represented a sharp but not disproportionate use of force to deter the woman’s violence.

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