News Release
SIU Terminates Investigation as Woman Not Seriously Injured in Brantford Arrest
Case Number: 25-OCI-117
The Deputy Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Stacey O’Brien, has terminated an investigation due to the lack of serious injury involving the arrest of a 21-year-old woman by Brantford Police Service officers.
Based on the SIU’s preliminary inquiries, on March 25, 2025, officers were dispatched to assist EMS at the woman’s apartment in the area of Wellington and Clarence Streets after a call was received in concern for her mental wellbeing. The woman was located on a couch with a boxcutter in her hand, as well as a large kitchen knife and prescription pills nearby. During attempts to negotiate, the woman suddenly rose to her feet and walked towards the balcony. An officer discharged his conducted energy weapon and officers took her to the floor and handcuffed her. At hospital, she was treated for an overdose. She was not diagnosed with any serious injuries. In the absence of serious injury, the unit was without jurisdiction to investigate this incident.
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