Hamilton Police have initiated a professional standards investigation after a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle driven by an off-duty officer from the Niagara Regional Police Service. The incident occurred on Tuesday, December 2, 2025.
Details of the Incident
The collision took place while the Niagara officer was off duty. Upon the incident occurring, the Hamilton Police Service was contacted to lead the investigation to ensure impartiality. This is a standard procedure when an incident involves an officer from a different police service.
Specific details regarding the location, time of day, and the condition of the pedestrian have not been publicly released by investigators at this early stage. The Hamilton Police have confirmed they are in the preliminary phases of their investigation and are gathering evidence and witness statements.
Standard Protocol for Police-Involved Incisions
In Ontario, when a police officer is involved in a serious incident, it is common practice for a neighbouring police service to conduct the investigation. This process is designed to maintain transparency and public trust by avoiding any potential conflict of interest.
The Niagara Regional Police Service has acknowledged the incident and confirmed the officer's status. The officer involved has been cooperating fully with the Hamilton Police investigators. The NRPS stated it would be inappropriate to comment further while the external investigation is active.
Ongoing Investigation and Next Steps
The Hamilton Police Service's professional standards branch is now tasked with determining the circumstances that led to the collision. This will involve a thorough examination of all available evidence, which may include:
- Scene reconstruction and forensics.
- Review of any available video footage.
- Interviews with the involved officer, the pedestrian, and any witnesses.
- Analysis of vehicle data.
Once the investigation is complete, its findings will be forwarded to the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) if the incident meets the criteria for their mandate, which typically involves serious injury, death, or allegations of sexual assault. Alternatively, the findings may be used for an internal disciplinary process under the Police Services Act.
The public is awaiting further updates from the Hamilton Police as more information becomes available. The priority for investigators is to conduct a comprehensive and impartial review of all facts surrounding this unfortunate event.
