BRANTFORD — Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) has concluded it will not seek criminal charges against a Brantford police officer after a 22-year-old man was badly hurt following a foot pursuit on April 16.
SIU decision and findings
Joseph Martino, director of the SIU, said in a statement released Friday that investigators found no reasonable grounds to believe the officer committed a criminal offence in connection with the man’s fall and resulting injuries.
“There are no reasonable grounds to believe the officer committed a criminal offence connection with the man’s fall and injuries.”
The incident occurred in the early hours of April 16 when a Brantford police officer on patrol encountered a physical altercation between two men near King and Dalhousie streets. One person ran from the scene and was pursued by the first officer, joined shortly after by a second officer.
What happened during the pursuit
According to the SIU summary, the fleeing man tried to reach a walkway by stepping down from the top of a half-wall. Wet and slippery conditions at the site contributed to a loss of footing. The man momentarily hung from the outer railing of the walkway; an officer was able to get a hold of his right hand but the grip did not hold and the man fell, suffering head trauma and a liver injury.
Provincial investigators attended to determine whether any criminal conduct by the officers, such as use of force or other actions, played a role in the injuries. After reviewing witness statements, available video and forensic evidence, the SIU concluded the evidence did not support criminal charges against the officer involved.
Local implications and oversight
The SIU’s decision will be closely watched in Brantford, a city where policing incidents can inflame public concern over the use of force and accountability. The SIU is the province’s civilian oversight body that investigates incidents involving police where someone is seriously injured, dies or where there are allegations of sexual assault.
While the SIU’s mandate is limited to criminal liability, its findings do not preclude separate internal police reviews or civil actions. Community members and advocacy groups often call for broader transparency when serious injuries occur during police interactions, emphasising the need for public confidence in both investigative processes and policing standards.
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| April 16 | Officers respond to a physical altercation at King and Dalhousie streets; a 22-year-old flees and is pursued. |
| April 16 | During pursuit the man attempts to get onto a walkway from a half-wall, slips on wet surface, hangs from railing then slips free and falls, suffering serious injuries. |
| Aug. 10 | SIU director Joseph Martino releases a statement: investigators found no reasonable grounds to charge the officer. |
Questions that remain for the community
Residents and civic leaders in Brantford may seek answers on several fronts: whether the police conduct adhered to local policies during the pursuit; whether environmental hazards such as slippery walkways are a recurring risk in the area; and what follow-up support has been offered to the injured man.
- SIU determined there was insufficient evidence for criminal charges.
- The injured person sustained head trauma and liver injuries after falling.
- Event took place near King and Dalhousie streets during the early morning of April 16.
As with many SIU closures, the outcome will not end public interest. The community and city officials will likely watch for any additional disclosures from the SIU report, updates from Brantford police internal reviews and any civil proceedings that could follow.
For now, the SIU’s conclusion means no criminal charges will be laid in relation to the April incident, but the episode underscores ongoing tensions between the demands of frontline policing and the scrutiny that follows when encounters result in serious injury.
