News Release
Charges not Warranted in Relation to Interaction with Man During Execution of Search Warrant at Toronto Apartment
Case Number: 18-TCI-354
On November 26, 2018, Toronto Police Service officers attended an apartment building on McCowan Road to execute a search warrant for illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia obtained under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. When officers showed up at the door of a unit, a 40-year-old man was the only person present. The officers entered the apartment and confronted the man physically. During the course of that interaction, the man suffered a broken nose and laceration of his right lower eyelid. He was transported to hospital for treatment. The Interim Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has determined there are no reasonable grounds to lay criminal charges against any police officer in relation to this incident.
Full Director’s Report (with Incident Narrative, Evidence, and Analysis & Director’s Decision):https://www.siu.on.ca/en/directors_reports.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