News Release
SIU Reopens G20 Investigation
Case Number: 10-TCI-118
On November 29, 2010, Chief Blair of the Toronto Police Service said on the CBC radio show ‘Metro Morning’ that a You Tube video referred to as corroborative evidence in the SIU investigation of the G20 excessive use of force allegation involving injuries to Adam Nobody had been forensically examined. He said that the video tape had been “tampered with” and “fabricated.” He further said that a “significant portion” had been removed, that it was clearly “doctored to create a certain impression” and that the “use of a weapon had been removed from that tape.” That video has been posted on You Tube under the title of ‘Toronto G20, Peaceful Protestor Tackled and Roughed Up.’
On November 30, 2010, the SIU received a sworn statement from Mr. John Bridge who stated that he took the video in question. He said under oath that he did not revise or edit any of the images posted on the You Tube site. He further said that the video has an approximately five second gap because he initially thought he might have to retreat from the advancing police, causing him to interrupt his filming.
Director Scott stated, “In my view, the assertions by Chief Blair and the contents of the affidavit sworn by Mr. Bridge satisfy the criteria of being materially new information with respect to the Nobody incident. Accordingly, I am reopening this investigation. I will be asking Chief Blair to provide the SIU with any further relevant information he has with respect to this incident and more specifically any forensic evidence in his possession regarding the allegation of tampering with the video tape. The SIU will also be requesting an interview with Mr. Bridge.”
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