News Release
SIU Director Ian Scott Responds to Assertions Made by Toronto Police Association
Case Number: N/A
Mississauga (22 February, 2013) --- Today, Toronto Police Association (TPA) president Mike McCormack made assertions against the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) through a news release.
Director Ian Scott responded, “The SIU’s statutory mandate is to conduct investigations of police officers involved in incidents of death, serious injury and allegations of sexual assault. In my view, they should be conducted in an independent, thorough and transparent manner.”
With respect to the specific assertions in the TPA news release:
• Phabian Rhodius met with the SIU investigators and was informed of his outstanding arrest warrants. He was strongly advised to speak to his lawyer and clear them up. Within a few days of the meeting with SIU investigators, Mr. Rhodius turned himself in to the authorities.
• With respect to the alleged assault of a 51 division detainee, this matter came to the attention of the SIU through the complainant’s lawyer. Medical records collected during the investigation support the opinion that the complainant sustained a nasal bone fracture.
Director Scott said, “Mr. McCormack is entitled to his opinion about my leadership of the Unit. Frankly, I would have been more surprised if he issued a news release saying he was happy with the way the Unit is currently functioning.”
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