THUNDER BAY - The Special Investigations Unit has terminated an investigation into Thunder Bay Police Service officers, saying a man’s medical emergency while in custody was related to a drug overdose and not a struggle with police.
The SIU was notified of a 35-year-old man’s throat injury sustained following his arrest by the Thunder Bay Police Service in February 2020. Based on the information at the time, the SIU determined the incident did not fall within its jurisdiction.
But last May, after receiving new information, the SIU launched an investigation into the incident.
According to the SIU, the complainant was arrested by Thunder Bay Police Service and Ontario Provincial Police officers on drug related offences.
There were reports of a struggle during the course of the complainant’s arrest, but he appeared physically fine when transported to the Thunder Bay Police Service headquarters.
While in the booking room, the man appeared to be in medical distress and he was transported to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre by ambulance.
It was determined the complainant was suffering a drug overdose and fentanyl, cocaine, and marijuana was found in his system.
The man also defecated a quantity of drugs while still in the hospital several days later.
According to the SIU, while in hospital the complainant developed aspiration pneumonia and underwent a percutaneous tracheostomy where a breathing tube is inserted into the airway surgically through the throat.
“Based on the SIU’s preliminary inquiries, including a review of the man’s medical records, Director Joseph Martino was satisfied the investigation should be discontinued,” a statement from the SIU reads. “On this record, it appeared likely that the whole of the man’s health woes were the result of his drug consumption.”
The statement goes on to read that any attempt to tie the man’s condition to an interaction with police is speculative and there is no basis for SIU jurisdiction in the matter and the investigation was terminated.
The SIU investigates any interaction with police that results in injury, death, the discharge of a firearm, or allegations of sexual assault.
