Ontario’s police watchdog says there are no reasonable grounds to believe a Guelph Police Service officer committed a criminal offence in connection with the death of a 58-year-old man who fell from an apartment window during a police response in June. The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) began its investigation after officers responded to an apartment in the area of Willow Road and Edinburgh Road North on June 7 following multiple 911 calls about a man screaming, breaking windows and throwing objects from the apartment. “The officers forced their way into the residence after they saw blood on the door,” a media release read in part. “They forced their way into the doorway of the barricaded bedroom, and one officer discharged their conducted energy weapon without effect. The man was able to make it to the window, falling to the ground below.” The man was taken to Guelph General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Three investigators and two forensic investigators were assigned to the case. The SIU concluded its investigation Monday, finding the officer’s actions did not amount to criminal negligence causing death.
