The province’s police watchdog has re-opened an investigation into a man injured in police custody.
The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) says it’s received new evidence this week around an incident that happened in a Bracebridge OPP holding cell last year.
SIU officials say the man was arrested on June 21, 2022, in relation to a reported assault involving his girlfriend. The man was taken to a cell at the detachment, after treatment in hospital for a serious hand injury suffered prior to his arrest.
They say the man was then involved in a physical altercation with several officers at the station and he reportedly suffered a nose injury.
The incident was initially reported to the SIU July 7, 2022, and the organization launched an investigation. It was closed in November after SIU Director Joseph Martino concluded he was “not satisfied the man suffered a broken nose or any other serious injury within the terms of the SIU’s statutory mandate.”
Two investigators have been assigned to the case.
The independent watchdog is called in when police are involved in a death, serious injury, sexual assault, or the discharge of a firearm.
