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No charges laid against OPP officers in drug death of man in Markdale: SIU

Lars Hagberg/The Canadian Press/File

MISSISSAUGA, Ont. – The Special Investigations Unit says there are no reasonable grounds to lay charges against provincial police officers called in to help paramedics during a fatal incident in a community southeast of Owen Sound, Ont.

The police watchdog agency says paramedics responding to a 911 call in Markdale found a 43-year-old man in a physically agitated state, flailing his arms and not responding to directions.

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The paramedics called OPP officers to assist, and the man was handcuffed, strapped to a backboard and taken to Grey Bruce Health Services, where he stopped breathing and was pronounced dead.

The SIU says a post-mortem later determined the man died of a methamphetamine overdose.

SIU director Tony Loparco says he’s satisfied that the officers acted reasonably to protect the man and others from physical harm at a time when he was incapable of controlling his movements.

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