News Release
SIU Investigates Injuries Sustained by Man in Toronto
Case Number: 13-TCI-066
Other News Releases Related to Case 13-TCI-066
Mississauga (15 March, 2013) --- Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) is probing the circumstances surrounding the custody injuries sustained by 30-year-old Raymond Costain, in Toronto, in April of 2010. The SIU learned of the incident through media reports.
Preliminary information indicates the following:
• In the early morning hours of April 12, 2010, Mr. Costain was arrested on King Street East by officers with the Toronto Police Service;
• During the arrest process, he was struck a number of times;
• He was taken to St. Michael’s Hospital for treatment. Medical records show Mr. Costain was left with permanent scarring on his forehead.
A judge at Mr. Costain’s recent trial ruled that the force used by police was ‘unnecessary, unjustified and excessive’.
Anyone who may have witnessed this incident is asked to contact the SIU lead investigator at 416-622-2150 or 1-800-787-8529 extension 2150.
If you or someone you know is an affected person in need of support, please call the Affected Persons Program General Referral Line at 1-877-641-1897 or click here for more information: siu.on.ca/en/apc.php
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