SIU Appeals for Witnesses to Orillia Custody Injury

MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO -- (Marketwire) -- 06/23/10 -- Ontarios Special Investigations Unit (SIU) is probing the circumstances surrounding the injuries sustained by a 40-year-old woman early this morning. The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) reported the following information to the SIU:

--  At approximately 1:00 a.m., based on information received, officers
began following a vehicle on Highway 11.
--  They stopped the vehicle at the Bayou Road cutoff.
--  There was an interaction, and the woman occupant of the vehicle
sustained third degree burns to her body.
--  She was taken to Soldiers Memorial Hospital in Orillia for treatment.

Three investigators and two forensic investigators are investigating this incident. Anyone who may have information regarding this case is asked to contact the Unit at 416-622-1965 or 1-800-787-8529.

The SIU is an arms 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.