A pair of Chatham-Kent police officers have been cleared of any wrongdoing after a man suffered a fractured rib during an arrest in Chatham.
The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) said the two officers with the Chatham-Kent Police Service responded to a domestic disturbance on August 12 in the area of Wedgewood Avenue and Tweedsmuir Avenue West.
Upon arrival, the officers found a 52-year-old man hiding in a closet after he had allegedly assaulted a woman. He was also in violation of his curfew.
When officers attempted to arrest the man, he allegedly sprayed officers with a beer and refused to release his arms to be handcuffed. The accused was then forced to the floor and struck by an officer with their knee. The man was kneed again while by the police cruiser.
The accused was later taken to hospital and diagnosed with a fractured rib.
Following an investigation, the SIU has determined that the use of force in this situation was reasonable and there are no reasonable grounds to believe the two officers committed a criminal offence.
The SIU is an independent civilian agency that investigates incidents involving police officers and members of the public that may have resulted in death, serious injury, sexual assault, or the discharge of a firearm at a person.