Thunder Bay police officer charged with assault causing bodily harm

Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit has charged a Thunder Bay police officer with assault in connection with a serious injury suffered by a 33-year-old man in April 2023. (File)

Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit has charged a Thunder Bay police officer with assault in connection with a serious injury suffered by a 33-year-old man in April 2023.

The charges stem from an incident April 11, 2023, when officers arrested the man outside a business on May Street for being intoxicated in a public place. He was taken to the detachment.

“At the station, there was an interaction between the subject official and the man,” the SIU said in a news release Tuesday.

“The man was taken to hospital where he was diagnosed with a serious injury.”

The SIU invokes its mandate to investigate whenever a civilian is injured during an interaction with police. As a result of that process, Const. Taylor Auger has been charged with one count of assault causing bodily harm.

Auger is required to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Thunder Bay on July 2 at 9 a.m.

“As the matter is before the courts, and in consideration of the fair trial interests of the accused, the SIU will not provide further comment on the investigation,” the SIU said.

In response to the charges, Thunder Bay Police Service Board Chair Karen Machado said in a news release that the charges are “deeply concerning.”

“The Thunder Bay Police Service Board values and respects the role of the SIU as a key pillar of police accountability in Ontario,” the statement said.

“When charges are laid, it illustrates that the system of police oversight works. As a board, we recognize our role in ensuring the highest police governance standards.”

Once the process is complete, Machado said the board will review the findings and “when available, for areas where policies and procedures could be improved including in areas of training. The board will not hesitate to direct action where required.”