Ontario's police watchdog says there is no reason to continue investigating an incident in Woodstock that saw a teenager jump from a pedestrian bridge.
The Special Investigations Unit has dropped its probe into the September 8 incident, saying the teen was responsible for his injuries, not police.
The investigation began after a 17-year-old boy in distress left a home in Woodstock, heading toward the Finkle Street pedestrian bridge. A relative followed the teen and called police. Two officers responded and convinced the teen to come toward them while they talked. According to the SIU, the teen suddenly ran toward the bridge and jumped over the railing to a ravine below. He was taken to hospital where he was diagnosed with a fractured ankle.
“It is apparent based on the aforementioned record, established by the SIU’s preliminary inquiries, that neither officer caused or contributed to the man’s self-inflicted injury in any manner that could attract criminal liability," Interim SIU Director Joseph Martino said in a statement issued Thursday. "Consequently, the investigation is hereby discontinued, and the file 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.