News Release
Man’s Injury Self-inflicted; SIU Terminates Scarborough Investigation
Case Number: 20-TCI-025
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has terminated an investigation into the serious injury sustained by a 47-year-old man earlier this month during his arrest by Toronto Police Service officers.
On the night of February 2, 2020, Toronto Police Service officers were dispatched to an apartment building in the area of McCowan Road and Trudelle Street in relation to a domestic incident. As the 47-year-old man was being escorted by officers through the building foyer toward the front door, he suddenly kicked his right leg through a glass panel next to the door. The man’s right leg traveled across shards of broken glass, causing a severe laceration to his right thigh. The man was transported to hospital for treatment. He was subsequently admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
Director Martino said, “There is nothing in the evidence to suggest any untoward conduct on the part of the police. Nor is there anything to suggest that the man’s subsequent admission to the ICU and intubation are connected with anything the police did or failed to do. It is apparent at this time based on the SIU’s preliminary inquiries that there is no question of potential criminal liability on the part of any officers in relation to the man’s self-inflicted injury. Consequently, the investigation is hereby discontinued, and the file is closed.”
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