SIU Ends Investigation into Inappropriate Conduct toward Indigenous Female Prisoners – NetNewsLedger
March 17, 2023
PIKANGIKUM – On March 19, 2021, the Ontario Provincial Police reported to the SIU regarding inappropriate conduct by one or more of their members towards Indigenous female prisoners at the Pikangikum Detachment. The SIU launched an investigation and made every effort to identify victims or witnesses of the reported misconduct. However, initial attempts proved unsuccessful. As suggested by the First Nation, the SIU retained the services of Keesic Health Strategies, a First Nations-owned firm that specializes in First Nations Health Projects, to foster trust and rapport between the community and the SIU. The objective was to encourage complainants and witnesses to participate in the SIU investigation.
The SIU Director, Joseph Martino, reviewed the results of the SIU inquiries and determined that the investigation should be discontinued at this time. Despite the efforts of the SIU, no complainants or witnesses were identified. As a result, there was insufficient evidence to proceed with the matter, and the file has been closed.
