News Release

News Release

SIU Concludes Investigation into Woman’s Broken Nose During Apprehension in Kitchener

Case Number: 26-OCI-168   

Mississauga, ON (15 June, 2026) ---
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, found no reasonable grounds to believe a Waterloo Regional Police Service officer committed a criminal offence in connection with the fractured nose suffered by a 35-year-old woman in custody. On November 16, 2025, officers were called to an apartment in the area of Homer Watson Boulevard and Block Line Road by the woman who was suffering from a mental health crisis and hurt herself. 

The woman was apprehended under the Mental Health Act, and became increasingly hostile as she was being escorted down a hallway. An officer briefly pinned her against the wall and she spat on the officer. She was taken to the floor in the prone position, and she banged her face on the floor repeatedly. Director Martino was satisfied the officers only used lawful force against the woman and neither maneuver by police caused injury.

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