News Release

News Release

No Basis to Charge Officer in Relation to Etobicoke Collision Between Cruiser and Civilian

Case Number: 26-TVI-212   

Mississauga, ON (28 August, 2026) ---
In the evening of May 13, 2026, Toronto Police Service officers from the Retail Crime Unit were in a cruiser in the area of The Queensway when they received a call from loss prevention officers at a HomeSense regarding a possible theft. When the loss prevention officers attempted to detain a man who had exited the store, the man fled. As he ran across the parking lot, the cruiser made contact with him. The 33-year-old man was arrested and paramedics were contacted. The man was subsequently diagnosed with fractures of the right foot. On his assessment of the evidence, SIU Director Joseph Martino determined there were no reasonable grounds to believe that an officer committed a criminal offence in connection with the man’s arrest and injuries.

Full Director’s Report (with Incident Narrative, Evidence, and Analysis & Director’s Decision): https://www.siu.on.ca/en/directors_reports.php.

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