Courtesy - SIU

Ontario’s police watch dog has terminated its investigation into reports of inappropriate behavior by one or more members of the Ontario Provincial Police towards Indigenous female prisoners at the service’s detachment in Pikangikum.

The investigation began on March 19th 2021 and investigators with the Special Investigation Unit set out to identify any victims or witnesses of the reported misconduct, which proved unsuccessful.

Leadership with Pikangikum First Nation suggested the SIU retain an outside Indigenous led health organization, as a means of building trust and rapport between the community and investigators, with an overall goal of encouraging people to step forward and participate.

However as a result of no witnesses or complainants coming forward the investigation has been discontinued, due to insufficient evidentiary foundation to move forward.

In a release the SIU states “Every consideration will be given to re-opening the investigation in the future in the event of complainants and/or witnesses stepping forward.”