News Release
SIU Investigates Custody Death in Toronto
Case Number: 05-TCD-004
Other News Releases Related to Case 05-TCD-004
At approximately 1:31 a.m. Toronto Police Service (TPS) drug squad officers entered a home on Mulock Avenue to execute a drug search warrant. The officers were attempting to arrest a man inside the home and became involved in a struggle with him. At approximately 2:07 a.m., police requested an ambulance because the man was having trouble breathing. The ambulance transported the man to St. Joseph's Hospital where he died.
A post mortem examination is scheduled for tomorrow.
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