SIU investigation clears Barrie officers after allegedly armed man was injured during arrest

A police cruiser is parked in downtown Barrie, Ont. (CTV News)

Two Barrie police officers have been cleared of any wrongdoing after an allegedly armed suspect was injured during an arrest over the summer.

The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) director concluded there was no reasonable grounds to believe the officers committed a criminal offence following the incident involving a 21-year-old man on July 16.

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The agency reports the man, accused of drug trafficking on Mary Street, fled from the officers, prompting a foot pursuit.

The SIU report states the man discarded a loaded handgun during the chase, along with a “sizable quantity of what was believed to be fentanyl.”

According to the report, the officers tackled the accused to the ground as he continued to resist arrest.

After being taken into custody, the SIU says he was treated for a broken nose at the hospital.

The agency’s report included details from video footage obtained from a City of Barrie pole-mounted camera at the intersection of Dunlop Street West and Mary Street, along with the officer’s body-worn cameras.

“The injury could have resulted from his falling forward onto his face while fleeing arrest, or from an officer tackling him from behind and landing on his back while he was on the ground. In whichever circumstance, Director Martino found no grounds to believe that either subject official comported himself other than within the limits of the criminal law.,” the report states.

The SIU is a civilian law enforcement agency that investigates incidents involving police where there has been death, serious injury, the discharge of a firearm at a person or an allegation of sexual assault.