SIU clears Guelph Police officer after a December 2016 arrest

The province’s police watchdog has cleared a Guelph Police officer for an incident from December of 2016.

Director Tony Loparco determined there are no reasonable grounds to lay criminal charges, after an 18-year old man sustained serious injury while he was being arrested.

This had to do with a case involving the man allegedly pulling on vehicle door handles.

At the time, the man was charged with theft and assaulting a police officer.

Shortly after the arrest, he was sent to hospital with a possible facial injury but was released into custody when the results came back negative.

But, he returned to hospital a few days later and was found to have suffered a fractured orbital bone.

The SIU says the officer in the case used reasonable force, noting the suspect posed a risk reaching for something in his right sleeve before getting handcuffed.

“While, in hindsight, we now know that the Complainant was not reaching for a weapon, that is not a risk that the (arresting officer) could afford to take in the circumstances,” Loparco’s report read.

CLICK HERE to see the full report.

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