NEWS RELEASE
SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS UNIT
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The Interim Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has terminated an investigation into the arrest of a 68-year-old man last month in St. Catharines.
In the morning hours of Aug. 13, 2019, Niagara Regional Police Service officers responded to the area of Gale Crescent and Riordon Street in regard to the reported behavior of a man. The man was arrested, and then transported to hospital where he was diagnosed with an orbital bone fracture.
Interim Director Martino said, “Based on the SIU’s preliminary inquiries, which included a conversation with the man in which he declined to speak about what happened or sign a medical waiver authorizing the release of his medical records, I am satisfied there is an insufficient basis at this time from which to proceed with a full investigation. Consequently, the investigation is hereby discontinued, and the file is closed.”
The SIU is an arm’s length 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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