The agency that investigates civilian injuries during interactions with police says there are no grounds on which to charge London police officers in connection with two incidents in October.
The Special Investigations Unit released the results of its probes on Friday.
The first incident happened on October 25. According to the SIU, London police officers spotted a white SUV in the area of Berkshire Drive and Springbank Drive. Inside the SUV was a 39-year-old man who was wanted by police.
"Because of his criminal background, the assistance of the Emergency Response Unit (ERU) was sought," the SIU said. "At 11:22 a.m., ERU officers confronted the Complainant, who took a fighting stance and engaged with the ERU officers."
The man was taken to the ground by officers and placed into custody, then taken to police headquarters. Later, the man complained about a sore wrist. He was taken to hospital, where he was diagnosed with a fractured wrist.
"With respect to the force used against the Complainant by the ERU officers, the evidence falls short of reasonably establishing it was unlawful," SIU Director Joseph Martino said in his report. "...while I accept that the Complainant’s injury was incurred as a result of the force brought to bear by one or more of the subject officials, there is no basis for proceeding with criminal charges in this case. The file is closed."
The second incident occured on the evening of October 28. At 7:05 p.m., a 911 call was made about a hotel guest, who was apparently suicidal, on the fifth floor ledge of the Double Tree hotel on King Street in London. Eight minutes after the 911 call, police arrived on the scene, followed by four negotiators, a Critical Incident Commander (CIC), and the Emergency Response Unit.
Attempts to communicate with the man were unsuccessful, as he would not speak to the negotiators.
Later, a London Fire Department aerial truck was brought to the scene and a negotiator got into the bucket and approached the man in hopes of convincing him to get in and be lowered to the ground. But, the man refused to get in and, at 9:30 p.m., leaned forward and fell from the ledge.
He was taken to hospital in critical condition.
In his report, SIU Director Jospeph Martino said there were no reasons that any of the officers on scene should face criminal charges.
