News Release
SIU Charges Toronto Police Officer with Assault
Case Number: 23-TCI-225
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has reasonable grounds to believe a Toronto Police Service officer committed a criminal offence in connection with the arrest of a 32-year-old man in July 2020 in North York.
The SIU launched an investigation after being notified by the Toronto Police Service of the incident in June 2023.
The SIU investigation found the following:
- On July 21, 2020, officers went to an apartment near Dufferin Street and Highway 401 after the man reportedly threatened another man with a weapon.
- There was an interaction between the officer and the man in the course of the man’s arrest.
As a result of the SIU investigation, Cst Alain Arakaza is charged with one count of assault, contrary to s. 266 of the Criminal Code.
Cst Arakaza is required to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice at 10 Armoury Street in Toronto on July 8, 2024, at 2 p.m.
As the matter is before the courts, and in consideration of the fair trial interests of the accused, the SIU will not provide further comment on the investigation.
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