The Ontario Special Investigations Unit (SIU) has concluded its investigation into an incident involving Barrie police and a prisoner who suffered a medical episode, announcing that no charges will be laid against the officers involved.
Details of the Custodial Incident
The investigation was launched following a medical emergency involving a prisoner in the custody of the Barrie Police Service. The SIU, Ontario's civilian police oversight agency, is mandated to investigate incidents involving police that result in serious injury, death, or allegations of sexual assault.
While the specific date of the incident was not detailed in the initial report, the SIU's decision was publicly disclosed on December 6, 2025. The agency's director determined that the actions of the police officers did not warrant criminal proceedings.
The SIU's Investigation and Findings
The SIU's role is to examine the circumstances impartially. In this case, investigators reviewed evidence, which typically includes witness statements, police communications, and medical reports, to determine if any officer broke the law.
The core finding was that the prisoner's serious condition was the result of a medical episode, and not due to any use of force or unlawful action by the attending officers. The SIU stated that their investigation found no grounds for criminal charges against any Barrie police officer.
Outcome and Police Response
With the SIU's file now closed, the Barrie Police Service officers involved have been formally cleared of any criminal wrongdoing related to the incident. The decision concludes the independent oversight process for this specific case.
Such investigations are a standard procedure in Ontario when a serious incident occurs during police interactions. The SIU's clearance indicates that, based on the evidence, the officers' conduct did not cross the threshold into criminality as defined under Canadian law.
The name of the individual who experienced the medical episode has not been released to protect their privacy. The SIU has not provided further specifics on the nature of the medical episode, citing confidentiality.
