News Release
SIU Discontinues Investigation into Man’s Broken Ankle in Toronto Police Cell
Case Number: 21-TCI-312
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has terminated an investigation into the broken ankle suffered by a 60-year-old man in Toronto Police custody last month.
On the morning of September 19, 2021, the man was in a cell in 31 Division, under arrest for domestic assault. The man decided to harm himself by jumping from the cell sink and, as a result of the fall, broke his left ankle.
Based on the SIU’s preliminary inquiries, Director Martino concluded the man was solely responsible for his injury. As a result, the file has been 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
Lisez ce communiqué en français.
Kristy Denette, siu.media@ontario.ca
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES