NEWS RELEASE
SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS UNIT
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At approximately 11:15 p.m. on May 20, 2020, Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) officers attended a motel on Lundy’s Lane after an individual called 911 to complain about the behavior of a 49-year-old man who was a resident in one of the units.
After convincing the man to return to his room, the officers proceeded to leave the property. However, they were stopped by other residents who said the man had left his room and was being threatening.
In the course of arresting the man, a struggle ensued before the man was secured in custody. As the man and officers were walking, the man fell and complained of pain. He was subsequently taken to hospital and reportedly diagnosed with a fractured ankle.
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has determined there are no reasonable grounds to believe that a NRPS officer committed a criminal offence in connection with the man’s arrest and injury.
Full director’s report (with incident narrative, evidence, and analysis and director’s decision): https://www.siu.on.ca/en/directors_reports.php.
The SIU is an independent civilian agency that investigates reports involving police where there has been death, serious injury or allegations of sexual assault. Under the Police Services Act, the director of the SIU must:
- consider whether an officer has committed a criminal offence in connection with the incident under investigation
- depending on the evidence, lay a criminal charge against the officer if appropriate or close the file without any charges being laid
- report the results of any investigations to the Attorney General.
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