Hamilton police officers who restrained man during medical call before he died cleared by SIU

Three Hamilton police officers were cleared by the province's Special Investigations Unit (SIU) on Monday in connection with the death of a man who died the day after an interaction with police. 

On July 8, 2024, officers responded to a call near York Road and Watsons Lane "to assist paramedics," according to the SIU.

According to the SIU director's report, when officers arrived at the scene, a man was "incoherent and unresponsive."

"Due to the man's agitation, they needed help from officers to control the limbs of the man while they sedated him to safely transport him to hospital," the police watchdog said.

The man, 49, died July 11 in hospital due to "complications of cocaine toxicity, in a man with hypertensive heart disease, atherosclerotic coronary artery disease and physical activity," according to the SIU.

The SIU said in the report it received the man's postmortem examination report on May 21.

According to the report, the three officers involved were interviewed, as well as two civilian witnesses, a witness official, and a service employee.

"Director Joseph Martino was satisfied that the subject officials comported themselves with due care and regard for the man's health and wellbeing," said the SIU.