News Release
SIU Closes Investigation into Toronto Custody Injury
Case Number: 14-TCI-289
Other News Releases Related to Case 14-TCI-289
Mississauga (27 February, 2015) --- Based on the Special Investigations Unit’s (SIU) review of an incident that occurred in December 2014, SIU Director Tony Loparco has terminated the investigation. The incident involved officers with the Toronto Police Service (TPS).
The SIU review determined that at approximately 11 a.m. on December 23, 2014, TPS officers responded to a Binswood Avenue residence after receiving a call regarding a break and enter in progress. Upon arrival, officers set up containment around the residence. Shortly after, officers observed smoke and fire coming from the second floor of the residence. When officers entered the home, they heard movement coming from the second floor and ordered an individual to come out. A 51-year-old man was arrested and taken to Toronto East General Hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation.
The SIU’s statutory jurisdiction is limited to the investigation of serious injuries or deaths in cases involving the police. Due to the fact that medical reports revealed that there was no evidence of serious injury in this case, the SIU investigation has been terminated.
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