SIU Lays Assault Charge against Three St. Thomas Police Officers
Case Number: 16-OCI-031
Mississauga, ON (25 April, 2016) —
Three St. Thomas Police Service officers have been charged with assault for their involvement in a takedown in February of this year.
An SIU investigation found the following:
- On February 2, 2016, several St. Thomas Police officers were conducting surveillance in a residential area near Southdale Road East and Adelaide Road South in London, Ontario. The officers were seeking a suspect in a jewelry store robbery.
- Around 4:00 p.m., officers followed a taxi to Nadine Avenue, where they removed a male passenger and arrested him in relation to their investigation.
- The 35-year old male was injured during the incident. He was released unconditionally when the officers realized they had arrested the wrong person.
As a result of this investigation, the Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Tony Loparco, has reasonable grounds to believe the officers each committed the criminal offence of assault causing bodily harm. As a result, Director Loparco has caused three charges to be laid.
Constable Frank Boyes, Constable Sean James, and Constable Daniel Spicer are now charged with assault causing bodily harm, contrary to s. 267(b) of the Criminal Code of Canada.
The officers are required to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice at 80 Dundas Street in London on May 31, 2016.
The matter is now properly before the courts. In consideration of the fair trial interests of the accused, the SIU will make no further comment.
The SIU is an arm’s length agency that investigates reports involving police where there has been death, serious injury or allegations of sexual assault. Under the Police Services Act, the Director of the SIU must
- consider whether an officer has committed a criminal offence in connection with the incident under investigation
- depending on the evidence, lay a criminal charge against the officer if appropriate or close the file without any charges being laid
- report the results of any investigations to the Attorney General.