MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - July 30, 2010) - On July 28, 2010, the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) issued a news release regarding the June 2010 firearm injury to 39-year-old Helen Proulx of Kenora. Ian Scott, the Director of the SIU, concluded there were no reasonable grounds to believe an Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officer committed a criminal offence in this case.

In that same news release, the SIU noted there was a two hour delay by the OPP in reporting this incident to the Unit. In fact, there was a 51 minute delay. Director Scott said, "While we apologize for the error, we would have appreciated being notified of the incident immediately, as is required under the Police Services Act."

The initial news release can be found at http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/SIU-Closes-Investigation-Into-Kenora-Firearm-Injury-1296920.htm.

The SIU is an arm's length agency that investigates reports involving police where there has been death, serious injury or allegations of sexual assault. Under the Police Services Act, the Director of the SIU must

• consider whether an officer has committed a criminal offence in connection with the incident under investigation
• depending on the evidence, lay a criminal charge against the officer if appropriate or close the file without any charges being laid
• report the results of any investigations to the Attorney General.