Sault Ste. Marie Police Service is currently under investigation by Ontario’s police watchdog for an injury sustained by an individual while in custody.
A spokesperson for the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) says a woman was taken to hospital with a serious injury Oct. 13 after officers responded to a report of a mother’s concern over aggressive behaviour being demonstrated by her 24-year-old daughter.
Upon arriving at the residence, officers observed two women on the front lawn of the residence. After observing one of the women being aggressive, they intervened and became “involved in an interaction with that woman,” the watchdog informed SooToday. The Mobile Crisis Rapid Response Team arrived to assist, and the woman was restrained shortly after.
Two investigators have been assigned to the case. The SIU is urging anyone who may have information about this investigation, including video or photos, to contact the lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529 or by filling out an online form.
Investigations into two previous custody injuries involving Sault Police launched by the watchdog earlier this year found no wrongdoing by officers in both incidents.
Sault Ste. Marie Police Service has been the subject of five SIU investigations so far in 2024, with three of those investigations concluding with no charges being laid.
An investigation into the fatal police shooting of Nathan English by Sault Police in May is ongoing. As previously reported by SooToday, the 37-year-old man had been experiencing a "severe mental health crisis" in the hours leading up to him being shot and killed by police.
The SIU is an independent government agency that conducts criminal investigations into circumstances involving police and civilians resulting in serious injury, death or allegations of sexual assault.