Ontario's Special Investigations Unit has terminated an investigation into injuries suffered by a man taken into OPP custody in Kenora earlier this year.
SIU director Joseph Martino concluded the man had sustained his injuries before being taken into OPP custody, the police watchdog stated in a release Wednesday.
Martino found it "arguable" whether the OPP paid adequate attention to his injuries while he was in the force's custody.
However, he determined the SIU did not have jurisdiction over the matter, because civilian OPP staff, not officers, were "directly responsible" for the man's care during that time.
The SIU's mandate is to investigate incidents involving police officers that may have resulted in death, serious injury, sexual assault and/or the discharge of a firearm at a person. Its mandate extends to some other officials, like peace officers with the Legislative Protective Service, but not civilian police staff.
The OPP's Kenora detachment contacted the SIU on March 1 to report that a 42 year-old man who had been in their custody was diagnosed with a left ankle fracture after his release on Feb, 7.
Based on preliminary investigations, which included interviews with the man and a review of his medical records, Martino, determined his injuries were caused after he slipped and fell on ice near the Canadian Tire at Highway 17 and Mikana Way.
"Treaty Three Police officers arrested him for public intoxication and took him to a cell at the Kenora OPP detachment," the SIU release continued. "The next day, the man went to hospital where his injuries were diagnosed."
The release said Martino "found it arguable whether the civilian custodians directly responsible for the man’s care while in OPP custody paid adequate heed to his injuries."
However, he noted the SIU’s jurisdiction does not extend to civilian members of a police service.
Based on Martino's conclusions, the SIU closed the file.
