News Release
Investigation into Youth’s Reported Broken Hand During North York Arrest Discontinued Due to Lack of Statement
Case Number: 24-TCI-462
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has terminated an investigation into an apparent fracture suffered by a 16-year-old boy in the course of his arrest by Toronto Police Service officers last fall in North York.
Based on the SIU’s preliminary inquiries, on October 29, 2024, the male was arrested in the Lawrence Heights area for a robbery. Reportedly, officers pulled the male from the backseat of a Lyft to the ground before he was handcuffed. Shortly after, he complained of pain to his hand, attributing it to the manner in which he was removed from the Lyft. He was taken to hospital and reportedly diagnosed with a fractured hand. Efforts by the SIU to speak with the male have been unsuccessful. In the absence of a statement, there was insufficient evidentiary foundation from which to proceed with an investigation.
Director Martino emphasized that every consideration will be given to re-opening the file in the event the youth and his mother decide to come forward.
The SIU is an independent government agency that investigates the conduct of officials (police officers as well as special constables with the Niagara Parks Commission and peace officers with the Legislative Protective Service) that may have resulted in death, serious injury, sexual assault and/or the discharge of a firearm at a person. All investigations are conducted by SIU investigators who are civilians. Under the Special Investigations Unit Act, the Director of the SIU must
- consider whether the official has committed a criminal offence in connection with the incident under investigation
- depending on the evidence, cause a criminal charge to be laid against the official where grounds exist for doing so, or close the file without any charges being laid
- publicly report the results of its investigations
Lisez ce communiqué en français.
Monica Hudon, siu.media@ontario.ca
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES