Officer Cleared: SIU Finds No Wrongdoing After Woman Suffers Broken Knee in South Simcoe Arrest

After months of careful review, a South Simcoe Police Service officer has been officially cleared of any criminal wrongdoing by Ontario's Special Investigations Unit (SIU). This comes after an incident last summer where a woman, during the course of her arrest, unfortunately suffered a broken knee.

The incident in question dates back to a day in July 2023, when officers were dispatched to a call concerning a domestic disturbance. These situations, as you can imagine, are often quite volatile and unpredictable, requiring swift and decisive action from those on the front lines.

Upon arrival, officers found the woman on the ground. Their attempts to assist her and, ultimately, take her into custody were met with significant resistance. It's a tricky situation for officers; they're trying to de-escalate and secure a scene, but sometimes individuals just aren't cooperative, making an already tense situation even more challenging.

Due to her continued resistance, the officer involved made the decision to take the woman to the ground in order to complete the arrest safely. While being placed in handcuffs, she began to complain of pain in her knee. As a result, she was promptly transported to the hospital where, unfortunately, a fracture was confirmed.

The Special Investigations Unit, an independent civilian agency with the crucial mandate to investigate incidents involving police where serious injury or death occurs, then launched its thorough inquiry into the matter. Their role, as we know, is to meticulously examine all evidence and determine if any criminal offense was committed by an officer.

Ultimately, the SIU Director, Joseph Martino, concluded that there were no reasonable grounds to lay criminal charges against the officer. He meticulously stated that the officer's actions, particularly the maneuver to take the woman to the ground, constituted a "justified use of force" given the very specific circumstances – namely, the woman's resistance to arrest and the inherent need to ensure the safety of everyone involved, including herself and the officers.

So, after careful consideration of all the evidence, including witness statements, officer accounts, and medical reports, the officer has been cleared. It's a tough, yet important, reminder of the complex and often split-second decisions police officers face every single day in the demanding line of duty.