A Peel Regional Police officer has been cleared of wrongdoing after a 44-year-old Brampton man suffered a fractured rib during an arrest earlier this year, Ontario\u2019s police watchdog says.<\/p>\n
In a report released Monday, Special Investigations Unit (SIU) Director Joseph Martino said there were no reasonable grounds to believe the officer committed a criminal offence in connection with the incident.<\/p>\n
The SIU invoked its mandate following a Jan. 21 arrest, which resulted in the man sustaining a serious injury.<\/p>\n
According to the report, an officer was on patrol around 12:24 a.m. when an Automated Licence Plate Recognition system flagged a vehicle whose registered owner was allegedly driving with a suspended licence.<\/p>\n
Police say the officer began following the vehicle in Brampton before the driver started operating the vehicle erratically. Officers attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but the man allegedly continued driving and crashed into parked vehicles on Patience Drive before fleeing on foot.<\/p>\n
A perimeter was established, and officers later located the man near his home in the area of Sandalwood Parkway East and Richvale Drive.<\/p>\n
The SIU says video evidence showed the man was taken to the ground by an officer as police attempted to arrest him. During the struggle, the man resisted arrest and bit one of the officers.<\/p>\n
Investigators say the officer involved delivered two knee strikes to the man\u2019s torso while attempting to gain control of his arms and place him in handcuffs.<\/p>\n
The man was later released from custody but subsequently went to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with a fractured rib.<\/p>\n
Martino concluded the officer\u2019s use of force was reasonable under the circumstances, citing the man\u2019s attempts to flee police and resistance during the arrest.<\/p>\n
The SIU determined that no criminal charges will be laid and the case has been closed.<\/p>\n