News Release
SIU Concludes Investigation into Man’s Brain Bleed Following Fall from CEW Discharge by Peel Officer in Toronto
Case Number: 24-OCI-481
The Special Investigations Unit found no reasonable grounds to believe a Peel Regional Police officer committed a criminal offence in connection with a brain bleed suffered by a 23-year-old male in a fall from a conducted energy weapon (CEW) discharge. On November 10, 2024, officers were investigating a stolen Mercedes located at 175 Toryork Drive in Toronto. The vehicle had been carjacked by knifepoint in Mississauga.
The officers observed the man approach the Mercedes and unlock the doors. The officers ran after the man as he tried to flee and enter another vehicle. An officer discharged his CEW at the man, who locked up and fell face first on the ground. The man didn’t give up his arms to be handcuffed and was struck by a knee and punch to the torso from the officers.
While Director Joseph Martino found it “highly regrettable” that the man suffered a serious injury in the fall, he found the force used was reasonable as the man could have had a knife.
Full Director’s Report (with Incident Narrative, Evidence, and Analysis & Director’s Decision):
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