The London, Ont., police chief issued a statement on Wednesday saying the London Police Service will "immediately" begin an "internal review of the investigation" surrounding the alleged Hockey Canada incident to see if further action should be taken.
In a statement posted on the police force's website, Chief Steve Williams said he was aware of the "significant public interest" surrounding one of the force's completed investigations from 2018. He did not identify the investigation, other than to say it was a "sexual assault investigation" that occurred in a hotel in the 300-block of Dundas Street in London.
The Delta London Armouries Hotel, where the assault allegedly occurred on June 19, 2018, is located at 325 Dundas St. in London.
A spokeswoman for London Police confirmed to Sportsnet that the release was referring to the Hockey Canada investigation.
According to testimony by Hockey Canada officials in Ottawa at the end of June, they contacted London Police "between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m." on the day they were notified about the incident.
In his statement, Williams confirmed that London Police concluded its investigation into the matter in February 2019 and no criminal charges were laid.
The statement comes in the wake of a Globe and Mail report Tuesday in which lawyers for seven of the John Does in the case supplied texts and videos from the incident.
In April, a woman filed a lawsuit against Hockey Canada, the Canadian Hockey League and eight unnamed CHL players, including some who represented Canada at the world juniors, stating she was sexually assaulted in a London hotel room after a Hockey Canada gala event in June 2018.
On Thursday, Hockey Canada announced it was reopening its investigation. The lawyer for the woman who filed the lawsuit against Hockey Canada, the CHL, and the eight unnamed players told Sportsnet his client will participate in the reopened inquiry. Hockey Canada settled the lawsuit, which was filed in London on April 20, in May.
The case has not been heard in a court of law.
Full statement issued Wednesday by the London Police:
STATEMENT FROM THE CHIEF OF POLICE
Regarding sexual assault investigation
LONDON, ON (July 20, 2022) – I am aware of the significant public interest surrounding an investigation completed by the London Police Service in 2018. I can confirm that a sexual assault investigation commenced in June of 2018, by members of our Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Section in relation to an incident reported to have occurred at a hotel in the 300-block of Dundas Street. A lengthy and detailed investigation took place, and in February of 2019, it was concluded with no criminal charges laid.
To ensure due diligence, given the serious nature of this allegation, I have directed that an internal review of the investigation be conducted to determine what, if any, additional investigative avenues may exist. While this review will be initiated immediately, there is no predetermined timeline for its completion.
The London Police Service is committed to thoroughly investigating all complaints of sexual assault. Along with our community partners, we will fully support those who come forward and we encourage anyone who has experienced sexual violence to report the incident to police so that the matter can be investigated.
Further information will be released as appropriate.
Chief Steve Williams
London Police Service
