Ontario's police watchdog has finished its investigation in London after a woman punched a metal door at the police station and broke her hand.
A 45-year-old woman was arrested at a London hotel for being intoxicated in public on November 18 around 1 a.m. and was taken to a police station. She was also wanted for outstanding arrest warrants. The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) said the woman broke several bones in her right hand during the booking process when she punched a metal bay door and was taken to the hospital.
SIU Director Joseph Martino said the woman is responsible for her injury and officers are not at fault in this case.
“Based on the SIU preliminary inquiries, it is apparent that there is patently nothing to investigate as far as the potential criminal liability of any police officer is concerned in connection with the woman’s injury," said Martino. "As is clearly depicted in relevant video recording, the woman is alone responsible for the injury.”
As a result, Martino said the investigation was discontinued and the file is now closed.
The SIU is an independent government agency that investigates the conduct of police officials 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.
The SIU is reporting 192 custody injuries in 2020, which is up from the 174 reported last year.