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SIU clears Kenora OPP officer

PostPosted: Wed Jan 08, 2020 5:31 pm
by Thomas
The provincial Special Investigations Unit has cleared an officer with the Kenora OPP of any criminal wrongdoing, after a 27-year-old man suffered a left knee fracture and dislocation during an arrest.

The SIU’s report states that on May 11, 2019, officers arrested a 27-year-old man for breaching bail conditions by consuming alcohol, after he allegedly threatened another resident. He was found walking near the Kenora Jail on Highway 17 East.

When officers attempted to arrest the man, the SIU says he flailed his arms and attempted to pull away. The report says one officer used rotational pressure to force the man onto the ground, and the officer went down as well. The man was arrested shortly afterwards.

The 27-year-old was then taken to the police station and lodged in a cell, where he later complained of pain in his left leg. He was taken for medical treatment and diagnosed with a left knee fracture and dislocation.

“Police officers are immune from criminal liability for force used in the course of their duties provided such force was reasonably necessary in the execution of an act that they were required or authorized to do by law,” wrote the SIU’s Interim Director, Joseph Martino.

“The force in question – a forcible takedown – occurred only after the complainant had made it clear he would not be arrested willingly and ignored repeated requests that he place his arms behind his back. While it is regrettable that the takedown appears to have caused the Complainant’s knee injury, I am unable to reasonably conclude on the evidence that the tactic was excessive in the circumstances.”

The SIU is an arm’s length agency that investigates reports involving police where there has been death, serious injury or allegations of sexual assault.

https://www.kenoraonline.com/local/siu- ... pp-officer