News Release
SIU Discontinues Investigation into Fractured Wrist Suffered by Teenager in Toronto
Case Number: 23-TCI-187
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has terminated an investigation into the serious injury suffered by a 14-year-old male in May in Toronto.
In the afternoon of May 15, 2023, Toronto Police Service (TPS) bicycle patrol officers were travelling south on Yonge Street when they recognized the youth who was in breach of a condition of a recent release order. He was walking south on the east side of Yonge Street without his surety present. The teenager broke free from the grasp of one of the officers and fled south on Yonge Street. He had not travelled very far when a civilian stuck out his leg in front of the teenager and tripped him. The teenager’s right hand struck the ground, and his wrist was fractured in the process. He was arrested without further incident.
Based on the SIU’s preliminary inquiries, including a review of video footage that captured the incident in question, Director Martino was satisfied the investigation should be discontinued. On this record, it was evident that the police did nothing to cause the youth’s injury that could conceivably attract criminal sanction. Accordingly, the file has been closed.
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.
Kristy Denette, siu.media@ontario.ca
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES