The Special Investigation Unit was examining police behavior during a large-scale police operation to disperse demonstrations in central Ottawa that locked the city center for more than three weeks.
	The blockades, which at times also closed many border crossings, called for an end to all orders for COVID-19, but some also wanted to force the Liberal government to resign.
	A 49-year-old woman said she was injured by a Toronto police officer on horseback on February 18.
	In a statement issued Monday, the SIU said a group of cavalry officers entered a crowd on Rideau Street in front of Chateau Laurier and a horse hit a man and a woman on the ground.
	The woman went to two different hospitals for the next three days with shoulder pain.  SUI said her medical records showed she had a stretched shoulder.
	The SIU said the injury was not serious enough to give it the power to investigate, and closed the case and referred it back to Toronto police for an investigation “as appropriate.”
	In addition to the interview with the woman, the SIU said it examined the police body camera and drone footage.
	Following the February 18 incident, false reports quickly spread on the internet that a woman had been trampled to death by a police horse.
	It took hundreds of police officers from across Canada to end the blockade of Ottawa, and more than 100 people have been charged with a number of offenses, including obstruction, possession of a weapon, assault and disorderly conduct.
	Most were released with promises to appear or were given a guarantee on strict terms regarding the use of social media and communication with other escort leaders.
	Patrick King, one of the main leaders of the event, remains in prison in Ottawa and is still looking for lawyers to represent him in the trial.
	King, who has been in custody since his Feb. 18 arrest, told an Ontario court hearing Monday that he was currently “shopping for lawyers.”
	Lawyer Moiz Karimjee said he was concerned about the time King was taking to secure lawyers.
	King has said in previous court appearances that it was difficult to contact a legal adviser while in custody.
	He also said he has two new lawyers to represent him on the bail review, although neither was on the show today.
	King, who faces 10 charges related to his alleged role in organizing protests in Ottawa, including rioting, intimidation, obstructing police and disobeying a court order, is due to return to court later this month.
	This Canadian Press report was first published on April 4, 2022.
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	This story was created with the financial support of Meta and the Canadian Press News Fellowship.