News Release

News Release

SIU Concludes Investigation into Man’s Concussion in Fight with Off-Duty Officers in Toronto

Case Number: 25-TCI-390   

Mississauga, ON (23 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 a concussion suffered by a 20-year-old man in a fight with off-duty officers. On September 26, 2025, the man was at the Rock N Horse Saloon, 250 Adelaide Street West, when he repeatedly attempted to dance with a woman despite her objections. 

There was a skirmish between the man and two off-duty officers before the man was escorted out of the bar by security. A short time later, one of the off-duty officers approached the man outside a firehall on Adelaide Street West. The two fought, and the man was taken down and pinned to the ground by one of the officers. They identified themselves as police and the man was arrested for assault. On-duty police were called, and the man was handcuffed then released at the scene. Later, the man went to the hospital and was diagnosed with a concussion.

Based on the evidence, Director Martino concluded the force used by the officers in the man’s arrest fell short of reasonably establishing it was excessive or unwarranted.

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