SIU Concludes Investigation into Woman’s Self-Inflicted Injury in NAPS Central Region

June 13, 2025

The Special Investigations Unit found no reasonable grounds to believe Nishnawbe Aski Police Service (NAPS) officers committed a criminal offence in connection with the self-inflicted injury suffered by an 18-year-old woman. On February 13, 2025, the woman was arrested for criminal harassment and failure to comply with a release order.

The woman was searched twice before she was placed in a cell. A few minutes later, the woman was found with cuts to her wrists. She retrieved a pencil sharpener-type blade from her mouth, used it to cut herself, and swallowed it. The woman was provided first-aid and taken to the nursing station.

Director Joseph Martino concluded that officers on scene were quick to react, providing medical care and arranging for the woman’s transport to the nursing station.

Full Director’s Report (with Incident Narrative, Evidence, and Analysis & Director’s Decision):

https://siu.on.ca/en/directors_report_details.php?drid=4505

The SIU is an independent government agency that investigates the conduct of officials (municipal, regional and provincial police officers, police officers with the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service, special constables with the Niagara Parks Commission and peace officers with the Legislative Protective Service) that may have resulted in death, serious injury, sexual assault and/or the discharge of a firearm at a person. All investigations are conducted by SIU investigators who are civilians. Under the Special Investigations Unit Act, the Director of the SIU must

• consider whether the official has committed a criminal offence in connection with the incident under investigation
• depending on the evidence, cause a criminal charge to be laid against the official where grounds exist for doing so, or close the file without any charges being laid
• publicly report the results of its investigations

Lisez ce communiqué en français.

Monica Hudon, siu.media@ontario.ca
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES

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