Sault Ste. Marie Police have been found not at fault after an individual sustained injuries during an incident that took place earlier this year, Special Investigations Unit (SIU) Director Joseph Martino has determined.
According to an SIU report released today, Sault Ste. Marie Police responded to a mental heath call at approximately 1:45 a.m. on April 23, 2020 at the Sault Area Hospital. Staff expressed concern about the well-being of a 29-year-old man (the complainant).
When officers arrived, they attempted to take the complainant into custody. SIU reports the man got into his car and drove around the hospital. Although stop sticks were deployed by Police at both entrances to the hospital, the man was able to escape.
Shortly after, Police located the complainant's vehicle in the area of Korah Road, and a Crisis Intervention Team and EMS were called to assist.
Officers entered the apartment building approximately 3:28 a.m. and found the complainant in possession of two knives.
After the complainant attempted to flee but failed, the SIU report states that he cut his neck with one of the knives, and an officer deployed a conductive energy weapon (CEW) into the man’s back. The complainant fell forward onto the ground but remained in possession of one of the knives and continued to cut himself. CEWs were deployed by two officers, and the man was quickly subdued and handcuffed.
EMS transported the complainant to the SAH in serious but stable condition. At the time of the intake, the complainant was in surgery.
"The force used against the complainant – several CEW discharges and moderate muscular power to wrestle control of his arms – fell within the limits of the law," Director Martino states in the report. "The complainant was in the possession of two knives with which he was threatening to harm himself."
"While the complainant’s injuries occurred in the process of his arrest, I am satisfied that the officers did nothing to contribute to his self-inflicted injuries that could attract criminal sanction," he concluded. "In fact, it appears the officers’ intervention, including the subject officers’ use of their CEWs, likely prevented the complainant from self-inflicting further, more grievous harm."
The full Special Investigations Unit incident report can be read here.