News Release
Due to Absence of Serious Injury Confirmation, SIU Discontinues Investigation into Toronto Arrest
Case Number: 23-TCI-334
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has terminated an investigation into the arrest of a 24-year-old man in August in Toronto.
On August 17, 2023, the man was arrested by Toronto Police Service officers in the course of a search warrant execution at a location on Legion Road North. Several hours later, while in custody at the police station, the man complained of pain to the ribs and was taken to hospital. The man was reportedly diagnosed with an “undiagnosed fractured rib”.
Based on the SIU’s preliminary inquiries, Director Martino was satisfied that the investigation should be discontinued. Despite the SIU’s repeated efforts to interview the man and secure a release from him for his medical records, the man refused. On this record, in the absence of confirmation of a ‘serious injury’ within the mandate of the SIU, the SIU was without jurisdiction to continue with the investigation. 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