The Special Investigations Unit (SIU)
The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) is a department within the Police Services Act that was created in 1990 to look into police misconduct that resulted in sexual assaults, homicides, or other serious bodily harm against citizens. (SIU, 2017). The SIU (2017) states that the organization gathers, evaluates, and determines whether the data provide substantial proof.
The Importance of SIU
SIU is crucial because it keeps the cops from acting illegally and raises public trust in the legal system. (SIU, 2016). These are accomplished by making sure that significant illegal actions by the police are looked into. Nonetheless, the agency does not investigate if the police engaged in lesser offense rather it determines if there is evidence of the alleged criminal offenses (SIU, 2017). Notably, the agency ensures justice to the victims irrespective of the position the police holds in the service thus making it essential to the society.
Independence and Fair Trial
SIU is an independent body allowed to conduct investigations instead of using the police. The aspect of independence allows SIU officers to conduct their duties without interference thus it can handle sensitive evidentiary information, ensure a fair trial, and protect the right of the witness and the defendant. The SIU publicly provides information on the investigation process and report on the progress of the case (TPAC, 2015). This leads to a fair trial since the officers do not have a conflict of interest. This might not be possible if the police are allowed to investigate themselves.
Affiliation with Organizations
The agency is also capable of holding on sensitive information since it is affiliated with organizations such as the Canadian Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement and First Nation Liaison Program (Canada.ca, 2017). Such organizations affirm that there is justice to the public and the accused police. This might be impossible if the police are left to investigate themselves.
Increased Accountability
The police might interfere with investigations thus making it hard to hold them accountable. However, SIU is an independent body thus it can raise the level of accountability (Ontario.ca, 2016).
References
Canada.ca. (2017).Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedom. Retrieved August 5, 2017, from http://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/csj-sjc/charter-charte/learn-ausujet.html
Ontario.ca. (2016). Implementation of the recommendations-the review. Retrieved August 5, 2017, from https://www.attorneygeneral.jus.gov.on.ca/english/about/pubs/adams/recommendations1to8.php
SIU. (2017). Balancing transparency. Retrieved August 5, 2017, from https://www.siu.on.ca/en/transparency.php
SIU. (2017).What we do. Retrieved August 5, 2017, from https://www.siu.on.ca/en/what_we_do.php
TPAC. (2015). Issues: Police Service Act. Retrieved August 5, 2017, from http://www.tpac.ca/show_issues.cfm?id=194
