Ontario's police watchdog has terminated an investigation into the death of a woman in Woodstock.
The Special Investigations Unit was called to Woodstock after the October 24 incident that saw the death of a 31-year-old woman. Woodstock police and EMS were called around 1:40 a.m. to a home in the area of Dundas Street and Springbank Avenue, where a woman was suffering from an overdose. A family member told the officers that he had given the woman three doses of naloxone. Officers then began CPR and gave the woman more naloxone. She was taken to hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
“The woman had overdosed prior to the police arrival on the scene and the conduct of the police officers on scene in no way contributed to her death," said SIU Director Tony Loparco. "As such, I have terminated the investigation into this incident.”
Earlier this week, the Ontario government announced an amendment of a regulation under the Police Services Act that previously required the SIU to investigate any incident in which a civilian dies after naloxone was administered by police.
“No one should face unfair repercussions just because they are doing their job and trying to save a life,” said Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services Sylvia Jones. “This amendment will enable police officers to carry out their duties without fear of facing a criminal investigation, but more importantly, it will also help save countless lives.”
Naloxone is an anti-overdose medication that can temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.