NEWS RELEASE
SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS UNIT
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The Director of the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), Joseph Martino, has terminated an investigation into self-inflicted injuries suffered by a 35-year-old man.
Based on the SIU’s preliminary inquiries, on Sept. 30, 2023, the man jumped from a moving vehicle while he was being driven to the hospital. He was of unsound mind and wished to end his life.
He went to a residence in Bracebridge and cut his throat with knives. Ontario Provincial Police officers arrived on scene and took him into custody under the Mental Health Act. He was rushed to hospital and treated for his wound.
On this record, it was apparent the police did nothing to cause his injury, leaving patently nothing to investigate as far as potential criminal liability. The file has been closed.
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
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