News Release
SIU Discontinues Investigation in Wunnumin Lake First Nation
Case Number: 25-ICI-052
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has terminated an investigation into a medical episode experienced by a 36-year-old man in February while at the police detachment.
The man was arrested in the early afternoon of February 8, 2025, following a call to police from a family member indicating that he was no longer wanted at the home. A Nishnawbe Aski Police Service officer responded to the home, arrested the man and transported him to the detachment. During the booking process, the man lost consciousness and fell to the floor. The officer administered two doses of Narcan and the man regained consciousness. The booking process was completed, and the man was lodged in a cell, where he appeared to experience a seizure. He was transported to a health centre where he was treated for ethanol withdrawal.
Based on the SIU’s preliminary inquiries, including the review of video footage that captured the incident, Director Martino was satisfied the investigation should be discontinued at this time. On this record it was apparent that the officer did nothing that could conceivably attract criminal liability in connection with the incident. Rather, his actions contributed to the preservation of the man’s continued well-being. Accordingly, there being patently nothing to investigate as far as the potential criminal liability of the police was concerned, the file has been closed.
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