News Release
No Basis to Proceed with Charges Against Officers in Relation to Man’s Death in York; Police Engagement was Lawful and Limited
Case Number: 20-TCD-305
Other News Releases Related to Case 20-TCD-305
On the morning of November 13, 2020, multiple 911 calls were made by residents of an apartment building in York expressing concern about the behavior of a 29-year-old man staying with a friend. Officers located the man in a hallway and shortly after noticed he was in medical distress. Firefighters who were also present initiated CPR until paramedics arrived and took over care of the man. He was transported to hospital and subsequently declared deceased. The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has determined there are no reasonable grounds to believe that any of the officers committed a criminal offence in connection with the man’s death.
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