News Release

News Release

SIU Concludes Investigation into Man’s Broken Leg in Toronto Police Takedown

Case Number: 26-TCI-003   

Mississauga, ON (1 May, 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 left leg suffered by a 33-year-old man during his arrest. On January 1, 2026, police were called to a residence in the area of Greenwood Avenue and Gerrard Street East as the man was in violation of a term of his release order.

With respect to the force used by the officers, namely, a takedown, Director Martino was satisfied it was legally justified. The officers told the man he was under arrest and took hold of his arms to be handcuffed. The man struggled against their efforts and was warned that he would be brought to ground. When the man continued to resist, the officers pulled him to the floor onto his front. The tactic made sense as it would better position the officers to deal with the man’s struggle and control his arms behind the back, Director Martino said. It was also accomplished with minimal to moderate force. While it was regrettable that the man’s leg was fractured in the process, that was more the product of the awkward manner in which he fell in tight quarters than any heavy-handed or excessive force. 

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