A man, 50 years old is declared dead in the hospital after regional police officers provided CPR at a home in Main Street in Brampton. SIU investigates the incident.
In news, according to the Special Investigation Unit, the police receive a call from a house around 11 in the evening and tried to resuscitate a man by providing CPR and administered naloxone. Paramedic arrived and brought him to the hospital but was declared dead.
According to the Superintendent for Peel Regional Paramedic Services, Jay Szymanski, the policemen were already providing CPR and administered naloxone on the man before the paramedic arrived.
Delivery of CPR
The SIU or the Special Investigations Unit is an agency in Canada that is responsible for investigating incidents that involves police that have resulted to serious injury, death and allegations of sexual assault. The SIU recently investigated two incidents that resulted in a death a few months ago. According to the SIU, both investigations on the two incidents were terminated, because the police did not contribute to the deaths. Police officers have been carrying this kit for several years in the form of a nasal spray.
According to the president of the Peel Regional Police Association, Adrian Wooley, this investigations cause excessive stress on the officers who are acting on good faith. They are exposed to criminal liability where they are only trying to save lives.
The spokesperson of SIU, stated in news that cases that involves policemen providing life saving measures such as first aid and CPR and it resulted to injuries or death, the SIU is authorized to investigate the incident.
Spokesperson for the attorney general’s ministry stated in an email that a motion to improve Bill 175 was passed by the government. The bill directs the SIU not to investigate a narrow case where police are involved in providing life saving measure such as CPR and first aid and has no further interactions with the victim that needs medical help. Furthermore he stated that it is still the obligation of the policemen in notifying the SIU of incidents that involves policemen in the death or serious injuries of the victim. This will ensure strong supervision of policing while avoiding unnecessary investigations where a policeman provides medical care for the victim.
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