Ontario's Special Investigations Unit charges Thunder Bay Police officer with assault

A Thunder Bay Police Service (TBPS) officer is facing an assault charge stemming from an April 2023 arrest that injured a 33-year-old man, according to the province's police watchdog.

Const. Taylor Auger has been charged with one count of assault causing bodily harm in relation to the man's serious injury, Ontario's Special Investigations Unit (SIU) said in a news release issued Tuesday.

The SIU said its investigation the man was arrested for public intoxication outside a business on May Street on April 11, 2023. He was taken to the police station.

"At the station, there was an interaction between (Auger) and the man. The man was taken to hospital where he was diagnosed with a serious injury," said the SIU release. 

The SIU is an independent government agency that investigates the conduct of police that may have resulted in death, serious injury, sexual assault or the discharge of a firearm at a person.

Thunder Bay Police Service Board Chair Karen Machado said this charge is deeply concerning.

"Working with Chief Fleury, we will review the SIU's findings, when available, for areas where policies and procedures could be improved including in areas of training," said Machado in a statement. 

The Thunder Bay Police Service said it's aware of the charges Const. Auger is facing and he is now on administrative duties.  

"The officer has been placed on administrative duties while the legal process remains ongoing," said the Thunder Bay Police Service in a statement. 

According to TBPS media Facebook and Twitter pages, Auger joined TBPS in 2019 as an experienced officer from another service. 

Auger will be appearing in court on July 2, 2024, said the SIU.