A Durham police officer has been charged with a criminal offense after allegedly failing to provide medical assistance to a person in need.
According to the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), the incident occurred on October 29, 2021, when the officer responded to a call for a person in distress in the area of Simcoe Street and Winchester Road in Oshawa.
The SIU says that upon arrival, the officer found a 32-year-old man who was in need of medical attention. However, instead of rendering assistance, the officer allegedly failed to provide any medical aid and left the scene.
The man was later taken to a hospital where he was diagnosed with a serious injury. He is currently in stable condition.
As a result of the SIU’s investigation, Constable Michael Brown has been charged with one count of criminal negligence causing bodily harm.
The Durham Regional Police Service has also launched an internal investigation into the incident.
In a statement, Durham Police Chief Paul Martin expressed his disappointment and stated that the actions of the officer do not reflect the values and principles of the police service.
The SIU is an independent agency that investigates incidents involving police officers where there has been death, serious injury, or allegations of sexual assault. The agency has urged anyone with information about this incident to come forward and assist with the investigation.
Constable Brown is scheduled to appear in court on December 15, 2021.
