News Release
SIU Concludes Investigation into Toronto Arrest
Case Number: 23-TCI-404
On August 27, 2023, a 33-year-old man was in the throes of a psychotic episode when he approached a Toronto Police Service officer who was in the area. The officer, who was dealing with a motorist that he had pulled over, told the man he would assist him after finishing with the motorist. When the officer did turn his attention to the man, the man lunged in the officer’s direction. The officer took hold of the man and proceeded to handcuff him. When the man kicked the officer in the leg, the officer forced the man to the ground. The man suffered multiple facial fractures as a result. On his assessment of the evidence, SIU Director Joseph Martino determined there were no reasonable grounds to believe that the officer committed a criminal offence in connection with the man’s arrest and injuries.
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.
Kristy Denette, siu.media@ontario.ca
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES