News Release
Officers Responsible for Man’s Care Acquitted Themselves Professionally Throughout his Period of Custody; No Charges to Issue in Toronto Drug Overdose Case
Case Number: 20-TCI-184
On the afternoon of July 25, 2020, a 19-year-old man was arrested by Toronto Police Service officers and taken to 52 Division. While lodged in a cell, the man lapsed into acute medical distress. Having admitted that he ingested a quantity of drugs, first aid was provided, and the man was rushed to hospital where he was treated for a massive cocaine overdose. The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has determined there are no reasonable grounds to believe that either of the arresting officers committed a criminal offence in connection with the Complainant’s arrest and injuries.
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