CKPS cleared of wrongdoing in woman’s injury during arrest: SIU

The logo of the Ontario Special Investigations Unit is pictured in Toronto on Friday, April 12, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Arlyn McAdorey

The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) has cleared the Chatham-Kent Police Service of wrongdoing in the injury of a woman during an arrest.

On Aug. 24, 2025, the SIU said the woman called the CKPS to an address on Keil Drive South and Richmond Street with a report of an assault.

The CKPS reportedly arrested the woman for obstruction of justice after she “made contact” with an officer. The police officer held the woman’s left arm while walking her to the cruiser, the SIU said. Later, she was diagnosed with a disc excursion that needed surgery.

“It was alleged that the officer manhandled the woman during her arrest and subsequent walk to his vehicle,” SIU Director Joseph Martino wrote in a news release.

“The in-car camera footage, however, belied that claim. While the woman perhaps compelled the woman forward a little quicker than she would have liked, given a pre-existing back condition, the footage fell short of establishing excessive force.”

The full report is available online.