News Release
SIU Concludes Investigation into Toronto Officers’ Arrest of Man in Burlington
Case Number: 22-TCI-196
Other News Releases Related to Case 22-TCI-196
SIU Appealing for Witnesses to Arrest of Man in Parking Lot of Burlington Plaza
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has found no reasonable grounds to believe that three Toronto Police Service (TPS) officers committed a criminal offence in connection with the serious injuries suffered by a 49-year-old man in Burlington.
On August 6, 2022, the man was arrested for trying to sell fentanyl to an undercover officer on Brant Street in Burlington. Officers forcibly removed the man from his vehicle, and there was a struggle on the ground. During the interaction, the man suffered fractured ribs and a collapsed lung.
Director Martino was unable to reasonably conclude with any confidence that one or more of the subject officials resorted to excessive force in executing what was otherwise a lawful arrest, leaving no basis for proceeding with criminal charges in this case. The file has been closed.
Full Director’s Report (with Incident Narrative, Evidence, and Analysis & Director’s Decision):
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