News Release
Toronto Police Service Officer Charged
Case Number: 04-TSA-112
Based on the evidence from the SIU investigation, the Director concluded there are reasonable grounds to believe that Constable Joseph Green of the TPS committed the following offences:
· Sexual assault, contrary to section 271 of the Criminal Code of Canada;
· Point a firearm without lawful excuse, contrary to section 87 of the Criminal Code of Canada, and
· Use a firearm in a careless manner, contrary to section 86 of the Criminal Code of Canada.
The charges relate to an incident that occurred on October 8, 2004, at an adult entertainment establishment on King Street West in which a 34-year-old woman alleged she was sexually assaulted by an on duty TPS officer.
Constable Green has been released on a Promise to Appear and an Undertaking with conditions. He will next appear in court on September 16, 2005. Justice Prosecutions of the Ministry of the Attorney General will have carriage of the prosecution.
As this matter is now before the courts, and in consideration of the fair trial interests of the charged officer, the SIU will make no further comment pertaining to this investigation.
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