News Release
SIU Discontinues Toronto Investigation; Man’s Death Due to Overdose
Case Number: 22-TOD-067
Other News Releases Related to Case 22-TOD-067
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has terminated an investigation into the circumstances of a 56-year-old man’s death in March.
On March 6, 2022, Toronto Police Service officers were called to a residence in the area of Church Street and Carleton Street in relation to an overdose. Officers found the man unconscious in an apartment unit and a civilian was performing CPR on him. Officers helped with CPR and administered naloxone. Within minutes, paramedics attended and took over care of the man. He was taken to hospital and declared deceased.
Based on the SIU’s preliminary inquiries, which included a review of body-worn camera footage, Director Martino was satisfied that the investigation should be discontinued at this time. On the record, it was plain and obvious that the officers did not cause or contribute to the man’s death.
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.
Monica Hudon, siu.media@ontario.ca
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES