News Release
SIU Discontinues Investigation into Man’s Broken Wrist; Toronto Police Officers Not Involved
Case Number: 23-TCI-185
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has terminated an investigation into the broken right wrist suffered by a 33-year-old man before his arrest by Toronto Police Service officers this month.
The man was arrested by security guards at Canadian Tire on Eglinton Avenue East on May 14, 2023. He resisted and was grounded by one of the guards, breaking his wrist. Toronto Police officers attended and took custody of the man. He was later taken to hospital.
Based on the SIU’s preliminary inquiries, including a review of body worn camera video footage, Director Martino found the investigation should be discontinued at this time. Director Martino concluded it was clear his injury was from the security guards, not police, leaving patently nothing to investigate as far as the potential criminal liability of any police officer in connection with the man’s injury.
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
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Monica Hudon, siu.media@ontario.ca
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES