No charges will be laid in York Regional Police's arrest of a "significantly intoxicated" man on the shoulder of Davis Drive last May, according to the Special Investigations Unit today.
The 56-year-old man was on the north shoulder of Davis Drive, east of Woodbine Avenue, in Newmarket when York Region Paramedic Services and York police officers were dispatched to the scene to check on his welfare May 17, 2019 at about 7:15 p.m., according to the SIU report released today.
Multiple phone calls came in to emergency services regarding a man lying down on the gravel shoulder of Davis, with callers expressing concern he could be hit by a car.
"Upon police and EMS arrival, the (man) was found to be extremely intoxicated," the report states, adding the man attempted to run into traffic.
The man was arrested and transported to the police station, where he was held in a cell until he began complaining of a sore shoulder at about 1:30 a.m. on May 18.
At Southlake Regional Health Centre, he was diagnosed as having a fractured and separated shoulder. He was treated and later released.
"The complainant offered several versions of how the injury occurred to hospital staff. At one point, he advised the injury was pre-existing and later advised the police caused the injury," the SIU said.
"On my assessment of the evidence, I am satisfied there are no reasonable grounds to believe the (officer) committed a criminal offence in connection with the complainant’s arrest and injuries," SIU Interim Director Joseph Martino said in the report.
You can read the full details here.
The Special Investigations Unit is a civilian law enforcement agency that investigates incidents involving police officers where there has been death, serious injury or allegations of sexual assault. The Unit’s jurisdiction covers more than 50 municipal, regional and provincial police services across Ontario.
