The province's police watchdog has decided not to lay criminal charges against Windsor police officers following an arrest last year that left a man with a broken nose.
SIU Concludes Investigation into Use of Force
The Ontario Special Investigations Unit (SIU) has terminated its investigation into the incident, which occurred during an arrest in Windsor. The agency, which probes cases of serious injury, death, or allegations of sexual assault involving police, determined that the evidence did not meet the threshold for criminal charges.
The SIU director found that the use of force by the officers was justified within the legal framework governing police conduct. The decision was announced on December 17, 2025, closing the file on this particular case.
Details of the Arrest Incident
While the SIU's public report typically omits specific, graphic details to protect privacy, it confirmed that a 42-year-old man sustained a nasal fracture—a broken nose—during his apprehension by Windsor Police Service officers.
The incident prompted the mandatory involvement of the SIU, which is automatically called in whenever a member of the public suffers a serious injury during an interaction with police. Investigators interviewed witnesses and examined police records as part of their standard procedure.
Accountability and Police Oversight
This case highlights the role of Ontario's independent civilian oversight body. The SIU's mandate is to ensure transparency and accountability when police actions result in serious harm.
The "no charges" decision signifies that the director believed the officers acted within their legal authority and that the level of force used was reasonable given the circumstances of the arrest. Such rulings, however, do not preclude other forms of review or potential civil proceedings.
The outcome underscores the complex balance between allowing police to perform their duties effectively and ensuring public safety and rights are protected during enforcement actions.
