Ontario’s police watchdog has charged a London Police Service officer in connection with serious injuries suffered by a man following an interaction at a local hospital earlier this year. The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) said it has reasonable grounds to believe an officer committed a criminal offence related to the incident from March 18. According to the SIU, a man was arrested and apprehended under the Mental Health Act and transported to Victoria Hospital in London. While at the hospital, the man was involved in an interaction with a police officer that resulted in serious injuries. Following an investigation, Const. Stephen Farrand has been charged with one count of assault causing bodily harm. Farrand is scheduled to appear in London court on Sept. 22. The SIU said it will not provide further details on the investigation because the matter is now before the courts. The SIU is an independent civilian agency that investigates incidents involving police in which there has been death, serious injury, the discharge of a firearm or allegations of sexual assault.
