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Man's broken hand was self-inflicted in police cell: SIU

'While inside, the man repeatedly struck the Plexiglas of the cell with his right hand'
2018-07-27 Barrie police HQ RB
Barrie police headquarters on Sperling Drive. Raymond Bowe/BarrieToday

The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) announced today that it has terminated its investigation after a 37-year-old man sustained a serious injury in December while being held in a cell at the Barrie police station.

SIU director Joseph Martino determined the wounds were self-inflicted.

On Dec. 8, 2019, Barrie police officers arrested the man and brought him to headquarters where he was placed in a cell. 

"While inside, the man repeatedly struck the Plexiglas of the cell with his right hand," says the SIU report. 

The man was taken to hospital where he was diagnosed with a fractured right hand.  

“Following the SIU’s preliminary inquiries, it is apparent that the man’s injury was self-inflicted," Martino said. "The video recordings of the man’s booking and time in cells are definitive in this regard.

"Consequently, as there is patently nothing to investigate as far as the potential criminal liability of any police officer or officers is concerned, the SIU investigation is hereby discontinued and the file is closed," he added. 

The SIU is an arm’s-length agency that investigates reports involving police where there has been death, serious injury or allegations of sexual assault.