APTN National News
Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) has charged two police officers with the death of Debra Chrisjohn, 39, a member of the Oneida Nation of the Thames.
According to the release from the SIU, Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Const. Mark McKillop, and London Police Service (LPS) Const. Nicholas Doering are facing one charge each of criminal negligence causing death, and failing to provide the necessities of life.
The following details were released on the SIU site:
In response to calls made to 911 in the late afternoon hours of September 7, 2016, London Police Service (LPS) officers were dispatched to the area of Trafalgar Street and Highbury Avenue North. Chrisjohn was arrested by LPS, and transferred on an outstanding warrant into the custody of Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officers with the Elgin County detachment. At 7:52 p.m., Emergency Medical Services transported Chrisjohn to St. Thomas Hospital.
Ms. Chrisjohn was pronounced dead at 8:43 p.m.
According to the London Free Press that interviewed Chrisjohn’s sister after her death in September, Debra Chrisjohn struggled with substance abuse and may have been in distress when police arrested her.
She told the paper she feared that her sister’s distress may not have been taken seriously.
McKillop and Doering are not in custody – and are ordered to appear in court July 31.
The SIU is arms-length government agency that investigates any interaction between the public and police that involves injury or death or allegations of sexual assault.
