The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has reasonable grounds to believe an Ontario Provincial Police officer committed a criminal offence in relation to the serious injuries suffered by a 40-year-old man in Trenton last year.
The SIU investigation found on the morning of November 25, 2023, the officer saw the man urinate in front of the CIBC bank on Dundas Street West. The officer handcuffed the man, and there was an interaction between the officer and the man. The man was later taken to hospital where he was diagnosed with serious injuries.
As a result of the SIU investigation, Cst Jeffry Szijarto is charged with one count of assault causing bodily harm contrary to s. 267(b) of the Criminal Code.
Cst Szijarto is required to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice at 15 Bridge Street West in Belleville on July 25, 2024, at 9 a.m.
As the matter is before the courts, and in consideration of the fair trial interests of the accused, the SIU will not provide further comment on the investigation.
The SIU is an independent government agency that investigates the conduct of officials (police officers as well as special constables with the Niagara Parks Commission and peace officers with the Legislative Protective Service) that may have resulted in death, serious injury, sexual assault and/or the discharge of a firearm at a person. All investigations are conducted by SIU investigators who are civilians. Under the Special Investigations Unit Act, the Director of the SIU must
- consider whether the official has committed a criminal offence in connection with the incident under investigation
- depending on the evidence, cause a criminal charge to be laid against the official where grounds exist for doing so, or close the file without any charges being laid
- publicly report the results of its investigations
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
