Ontario’s police watchdog lays assault charge against Peel Region officer

The Special Investigations Unit (SIU), known as Ontario’s police watchdog, has laid an assault charge against a Peel Regional Police officer following an incident last August.

The SIU said on Aug. 26, 2021, officers stopped a driver who was being sought by police in Mississauga.

A 22-year-old man had fled the vehicle and was arrested following a foot chase, the SIU said.

The director of the SIU said he has “reasonable grounds” to believe that the officer committed a criminal offence during the arrest.

Due to the SIU’s investigation, Sgt. John Rocha is facing one count of assault.

The officer is scheduled to appear at a Brampton courthouse on May 27.

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The SIU is an independent agency that investigates the conduct of officers in incidents that have resulted in death, serious injury, or alleged sexual assault.

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