News Release
SIU Terminates Investigation into Youth’s Injury in Bowmanville Apprehension
Case Number: 25-OCI-222
The Deputy Director of the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), Stacey O’Brien, has terminated an investigation into the injury suffered by a male youth in the course of his apprehension in Bowmanville.
Based on the SIU’s preliminary inquiries, the male was arrested on May 31, 2025, after he was reported missing by his mother two days prior. The youth was also reported to have been experiencing suicidal ideation. A Durham Regional Police Service officer located the male east of Mearns Avenue, near Crough Street in Bowmanville. The male was in violation of court-imposed release conditions, and upon observing police, he fled and attempted to climb a fence to escape apprehension but became entangled in the wire fencing. Police assisted the male down from the fence, and he was transported to the hospital and treated for swelling to his left ankle.
In conclusion, there being no indication of any ‘serious injury’ within the mandate of the SIU, the unit was without jurisdiction to investigate the 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
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SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES