The Ontario Special Investigations Unit (SIU) has terminated its probe into an incident where a man sustained serious injuries during an arrest by South Simcoe Police Service officers in the town of Innisfil. The agency announced its decision on January 15, 2026, stating no charges will be filed against the police.
Details of the Innisfil Incident
According to the SIU's report, the confrontation occurred when South Simcoe Police officers attempted to apprehend a man riding a motorcycle. During the interaction, the individual suffered a significant injury. The SIU, which is automatically invoked when police actions result in serious injury, death, or allegations of sexual assault, assigned three investigators and one forensic specialist to the case.
The unit's director determined that the evidence collected did not meet the threshold for criminal charges against the involved officers. A key factor in this decision was the assessment of the man's injury. The SIU concluded that the injury, while serious, did not constitute a "grave injury" as defined under the SIU's mandate, which is a specific legal classification.
The SIU's Mandate and Findings
The Special Investigations Unit is a civilian law enforcement agency in Ontario responsible for investigating police conduct. Its closure of this case signifies that, after a thorough review, the evidence did not support proceeding with criminal proceedings.
The SIU reviewed police communications, witness statements, and physical evidence from the scene. In a statement, the agency emphasized that its role is to determine whether there are reasonable grounds to believe an officer committed a criminal offence. In this instance, the director found no such grounds.
Outcome and Next Steps
With the SIU's file now closed, no further legal action will be taken against the South Simcoe Police Service officers pertaining to this specific arrest. The man involved received medical treatment for his injuries following the event in Innisfil.
This case highlights the SIU's process of independent review following police interactions that lead to civilian harm. The outcome underscores the legal distinctions between serious injuries and those classified as "grave," which directly impact the course of an investigation.
