Barrie Police Service Officers Charged

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Oct. 1 /CNW/ - The Director of the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), Ian Scott , has reasonable grounds to believe that three Barrie Police Service (BPS) officers are criminally responsible for injuries sustained by a Barrie man in July of this year. The Director has caused criminal charges to be laid against the officers.

On July 5, 2009 , at approximately 6:15 p.m. , the officers responded to a reported domestic dispute at the Barrie residence of 61-year-old Michael Ullman . There was an interaction between him and the officers, and Mr. Ullman was arrested. A short time later, he was taken to Royal Victoria Hospital where he was treated for a broken left arm.

Constable Kevin Calleja , Constable Nathan Bowman and Constable Marco Coniglione of the BPS are each facing one charge of Assault Causing Bodily Harm, contrary to s. 267 (b) of the Criminal Code of Canada .

A summons was served on the officers on Thursday, October 1 . The officers are compelled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Barrie on October 26, 2009 at 9:30 a.m. in courtroom 9 to answer to the charges. Justice Prosecutions of the Ministry of the Attorney General will have carriage of the prosecution.

As this matter is now before the courts, and in consideration of fair trial interests, the SIU will make no further comment pertaining to this investigation.

The SIU is a civilian agency that investigates cases of serious injuries (including allegations of sexual assault) and deaths involving the police. Pursuant to section 113 of the Police Services Act, the Director of the SIU is mandated to consider whether a criminal offence has been committed by an officer(s) in connection with the incident under investigation and, where warranted by the evidence, to cause a criminal charge or charges to be laid against the officer(s). The Director reports the results of investigations to the Attorney General.

For further information: Monica Hudon, SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES, Telephone/No de telephone: [phone] or/ou 1-800-787-8529