News Release

News Release

Toronto Police Officer Charged

Case Number: 11-TFI-257   

Mississauga (24 April, 2012) --- The Director of the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), Ian Scott, has reasonable grounds to believe that an officer with the Toronto Police Service (TPS) committed criminal offences in relation to injuries sustained by 27-year-old Liboth Bangala.  Director Scott has caused charges to be laid against the officer.   

The incident occurred on December 15, 2011.  At approximately 8:30 p.m., TPS officers were conducting an investigation in the area of Ontario Street and Gerrard Street.  Plainclothes officers entered a second floor apartment in a residence, and there was an interaction between an officer and Mr. Bangala.  He sustained a gunshot wound. 

As a result of the SIU investigation, TPS Constable Corey Dunk is facing the following charges under the Criminal Code of Canada:
• one charge of Assault With a Weapon, contrary to s. 267(a);
• one charge of Careless Use of a Firearm, contrary to s. 86(1)

The officer is required to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice at 444 Yonge Street in Toronto on June 5, 2012.  The Justice Prosecutions branch of the Ministry of the Attorney General will have carriage of the prosecution.

As this matter is now before the courts, and in consideration of the fair trial interests of the charged officer and the community, the SIU will make no further comment pertaining to this investigation. 

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