OPP not to blame for busting murder suspect's jaw

NEWS RELEASE

ONTARIO SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS UNIT

********************** SIU concludes investigation into custody injury in West Nipissing TORONTO (April 27, 2006) - James Cornish, the Director of the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), has concluded there are no reasonable grounds to believe that any Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officers committed a criminal offence in relation to Rheal Kingsley's serious injury.

Four SIU investigators were assigned to investigate the circumstances of Mr. Kingsley's arrest that had resulted in a broken jaw.

The SIU investigation determined that on April 10, 2006, OPP officers from the North Bay detachment were asked to assist the West Nipissing Police Service in a double homicide investigation.

The police identified Rheal Kingsley as the suspect and believed he was barricaded in his home in West Nipissing.

At about 2:30 p.m. on April 10th, OPP officers from the Emergency Response Team (ERT) and the Tactics and Rescue Unit (TRU), went to 247 Cockburn Road to apprehend Mr. Kingsley.

The police secured the area around the home and initiated negotiations with Mr. Kingsley.

A short time later, Mr. Kingsley exited the home to tend to his dogs.

He was carrying a shotgun.

The police moved in and arrested Mr. Kingsley.

After his arrest, he was taken to hospital where x-rays revealed Mr. Kingsley had a broken jaw.

Director Cornish stated that although Mr. Kingsley suffered his serious injury in the course of the arrest, he believed that the amount of force used was reasonable in the circumstances and that Mr. Kingsley's injury was unintended.

The SIU is a civilian agency that investigates circumstances involving police and civilians which have resulted in serious injury, sexual assault or death. Under Part VII, Section 113, of the Police Services Act, the Director of the SIU has the sole authority to decide whether or not charges are warranted based on the findings of a complete investigation.

The director's decision is reported to the Attorney General. *******************