News Release
SIU Reopens G20 Investigation
Case Number: 10-TCI-119
Other News Releases Related to Case 10-TCI-119
On June 26, 2010, Joseph Thomson was in the area of Queen Street West and Spadina Avenue during an assembly of G20 demonstrators. He allegedly interfered with the arrest of a friend. Mr. Thomson was subsequently arrested. Sometime during his arrest he was struck in the face by a police officer and sustained a fracture to his nose. He was taken to Toronto East General Hospital where he was treated and released.
The SIU conducted an investigation. Eight witness officers were interviewed. The subject officer declined to be interviewed. On November 25, 2010 the investigation was concluded. Director Scott said, "I do not believe there is a sufficiently reliable basis to conclude that the subject officer used excessive force."
As a result of reviewing video images of this incident and examining a number of still images obtained, Director Scott has reopened this investigation. The SIU investigators are now actively working on this matter with the intent of identifying additional witnesses who may have seen Mr. Thomson's arrest and may be able to provide additional information to assist the SIU.
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