Ontario's police watchdog has concluded its investigation, after a 25-year-old man was seriously injured in the course of his arrest and later lapsed into medical distress while in custody.
The Special Investigations Unit [SIU] was called and an investigation was initiated.
In his detailed report, SIU Director Joseph Martino said the complainant was struck in the face with a closed fist during his arrest on April 17, 2024, for drug possession, following a traffic stop on the 401.
He was taken to hospital in London, diagnosed with a fractured nose, and discharged into police custody.
The complainant was taken to Lambton OPP's Petrolia detachment, where he was processed and lodged in a cell.
The next day, just before 4 a.m., Martino said the complainant rolled off the bed in his cell.
A civilian guard and police officers attended to him.
Police officers administered Narcan, and the complainant was taken to a hospital in Sarnia where he was admitted to the intensive care unit.
A small bag of suspected drugs was found in the cell. The cell and drugs had been secured.
On his assessment of the evidence, Martino determined there were no reasonable grounds to believe that any officer committed a criminal offence in connection with this matter.
The SIU is an independent government agency that investigates the conduct of officials that may have resulted in death, serious injury, sexual assault and/or the discharge of a firearm at a person.