The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) has completed its investigation into the death of a 35-year-old North Bay man.
At the end of July, police responded to a suspected drug overdose in the area of Main St. and Mattawa St. in North Bay. Officers administered CPR to the man before paramedics arrived at the scene. The man was later pronounced dead at the hospital.
Joseph Martino, the Director of the SIU, issued a statement on the investigation.
“Based on the SIU’s preliminary inquiries – which included a statement from a civilian eyewitness in whose apartment the man fell into medical distress and received care from the officer – I am satisfied that there is patently nothing to investigate as far as the potential criminal liability of the officer is concerned in relation to the man’s death,” Martino said. “The officer did not cause or contribute to the man’s death in any fashion that could conceivably attract criminal sanction. His involvement was brief and consisted of emergency first aid. Accordingly, the SIU investigation is hereby discontinued and the file is closed.”
The SIU’s investigation into the incident began on August 6.
Martino adds that while the cause of the man’s death has not been made official, it is suspected to be from a drug overdose.
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.
