News Release

News Release

SIU Concludes Investigation into Man’s Injury During Arrest in Toronto

Case Number: 25-TCI-385   

Mississauga, ON (21 January, 2026) ---
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, found no reasonable grounds to believe a Toronto Police Service officer committed a criminal offence in connection with the fractured right toe suffered by a 39-year-old man during his arrest. On September 22, 2025, officers were called to a Pioneer gas station near Kipling Avenue and Dixon Road in relation to a dispute.

As they approached, one of the officer’s a man trying to rip a woman’s purse away. The officer exited the cruiser and took hold of the man’s arm when he fled. The man fell, the officer grabbed him and forced him prone on the ground.

Director Martino found it remained unclear when precisely the man broke his toe, surmising that it could have been when he fell or during the course of the struggle with the police. 

Full Director’s Report (with Incident Narrative, Evidence, and Analysis & Director’s Decision): 

If you or someone you know has been negatively affected by an incident under SIU investigation and would like support, the Affected Persons Program is here to help. You can reach us at 1-877-641-1897. Support is free, confidential, and available 24/7, every day of the year.

The SIU is an independent government agency that investigates the conduct of officials (municipal, regional and provincial police officers, police officers with the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service, 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