SIU ends investigation into man’s drug overdose while in police custody in Mississauga

By

Published January 27, 2023 at 2:21 pm

st catharines man dead police shooting

The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) has terminated an investigation into a drug overdose suffered by a 37-year-old man while in the custody of Peel Regional Police officers in Mississauga last November.

On Nov. 1, 2022, police arrested the man in connection with an assault at his home in the area of Ninth Line and Derry Road in Mississauga, the SIU said in a press release.

“Shortly after he was handcuffed, the man collapsed in the officers’ presence,” the SIU said.

He was taken to hospital where he was treated for a drug overdose.

The man allegedly had taken “an excess of medications ahead of the police arrival at his house,” the SIU said.

“In the circumstances, there was patently nothing to investigate as far as the officers’ potential criminal liability was concerned in connection with the man’s overdose.”

The Director of the SIU, Joseph Martino, based this decision on preliminary inquiries, which included a review of body-worn camera footage.

Martino was satisfied that the investigation should be discontinued.

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.

insauga's Editorial Standards and Policies advertising