The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) has determined that no criminal charges will be laid against a Brantford Police Service officer after a 58-year-old woman sustained serious injuries during an incident last fall.
The case stems from an October 10, 2024, incident where officers attempted to apprehend the woman under the Mental Health Act at her residence near Terrace Hill Street and St. Paul Avenue. After more than two hours of negotiations failed, police forced entry into the home. As the woman tried to flee upstairs, an officer grabbed her from behind, causing her to fall down the stairs. She was taken into custody and later transported to the hospital, where she was diagnosed with a broken wrist and knee. The woman was also admitted for psychiatric assessment.
SIU Director Joseph Martino reviewed the case and concluded that the officers were justified in their actions. He noted that apprehending the woman quickly was necessary to prevent her from harming herself, particularly since she had earlier been seen with a screwdriver and had reached for a kitchen drawer while attempting to evade police.
Although the SIU accepted that the woman’s injuries resulted from her fall, Martino stated there was no evidence of unlawful conduct by the officer involved. As a result, the investigation has been closed with no charges laid against the Brantford Police Service.
The SIU is an independent agency that investigates incidents involving police where death, serious injury, or allegations of sexual assault have occurred.