The Special Investigations Unit found no reasonable grounds to believe an Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officer committed a criminal offence in connection with the serious injuries of a 33-year-old man during his arrest in Belleville. On August 13, 2024, OPP officers, after consulting the Belleville Police Service, sought to take the man into custody on a warrant.
The man attempted to flee, climbing over the driver in his vehicle attempting to escape through the front driver’s door. An officer and the man wrestled, and the officer tossed his firearm. The subject officer kneed and punched the man several times in the upper body before he was subdued and secured in handcuffs.
Director Martino found the evidence of the force brought to bear by the police fell short of excessive. He concluded that the man had proven a formidable challenge and there was some urgency to subduing him as quickly as possible given the firearm on the driveway in close proximity.
The man was diagnosed with a punctured lung and right-sided rib fracture.
See the entire Director’s analysis and report here.
