News Release
SIU Terminates Investigation into Man’s Injury Caused by Punch to Cell Door in Windsor Police Custody
Case Number: 24-OCI-184
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has terminated an investigation into a 37-year-old man’s fractured left hand.
Based on the SIU’s preliminary inquiries, including an interview with the man and a review of video footage, Director Martino was satisfied the investigation should be discontinued. The man was arrested in the morning of April 26, 2024, on domestic violence charges, taken to the police station, and lodged in a cell. While in the cell, the man was informed by an officer of additional charges he would face. Frustrated by the news, the man punched the cell door and fractured his left hand. He would later seek medical attention and was transported to hospital where his injury was treated. The man acknowledged that he was solely responsible for his injury and the cell video confirms that to be the case.
The SIU is an independent government agency that investigates the conduct of officials (police officers as well as 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