The Special Investigations Unit file photo by Maureen Revait The Special Investigations Unit file photo by Maureen Revait
Windsor

Windsor officer cleared after man's nose, wrist broken during arrest

The province's police oversight agency has ended its investigation into an arrest made by a Windsor police officer which resulted in several injuries.

According to the Special Investigation Unit (SIU), on June 21, 2021, Windsor police responded to a 911 call regarding a man who had allegedly broken into his neighbour's pick-up truck on Reginald Street.

When officers arrived, they attempted to place the suspect under arrest but struggled as the man resisted. The accused was pulled to the ground shortly after and had his left hand cuffed as he continued to fight against the officers' attempts to restrain both of his hands.

Once the man was fully hand-cuffed, he was taken to the police station and then the hospital where he was treated for a broken nose and fractured left wrist.

Following the investigation into the incident, SIU Director Joseph Martino confirmed he has found no reasonable grounds to believe the officers committed a criminal offence.

"while it might be that the [accused] fractured left wrist and broken nose were incurred in the takedown, there are no reasonable grounds to believe that [the officers] comported themselves other than lawfully throughout this incident," Martino said. "Accordingly, there is no basis for proceeding with criminal charges in this case, and the file is closed."

A detailed report of the incident can be found on the SIU's website.

The SIU is Ontario’s law-enforcement watchdog agency, which is called in to investigate incidents where a police officer is involved in a death, serious injury, or sexual assault.

 

Read More Local Stories