News Release
SIU Concludes Investigation into Man’s Skin Infection Reportedly from Handcuffs in Toronto
Case Number: 23-TCI-425
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, found no reasonable grounds to believe a Toronto Police Service officer committed a criminal offence in connection with a 40-year-old man who contracted cellulitis on his right arm following his arrest last summer. On October 17, 2023, the man contacted the SIU to report his infection and hospitalization, and an investigation was launched. The man was arrested on July 25, 2023, after he damaged an ambulance. He was handcuffed behind the back and put in the cruiser where he flailed his legs.
The cuts to the man’s wrists may have been from the handcuffs but Director Martino was unable to reasonably conclude that it was because the cuffs were too tight. In fact, there was evidence that the cuts may have been caused by the man’s movements in the cruiser.
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