News Release
SIU Terminates Investigation into Man’s Broken Wrist in Toronto
Case Number: 24-TCI-196
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has terminated an investigation into a 26-year-old man diagnosed with a fractured left wrist while he was in the custody of the Toronto Police Service in May.
Based on the SIU’s preliminary inquiries, including a review of video footage that captured the incident in parts, Director Martino was satisfied the investigation should be discontinued. In the evening of May 6, 2024, officers were dispatched to a convenience store on Roncesvalles Avenue, following a 911 call of a disturbance. The man had eaten chips without paying for it and assaulted the owners working at the store. Two officers arrived at the store and took the man into custody.
The man was captured on video pointing to an apparent injury to his left arm. The evidence suggests he was likely injured during the physical altercation that prompted the call to police.
Director Martino concluded it was apparent that police had nothing to do with his injury. As such, there was patently nothing to investigate as far as the potential criminal liability of any officer is concerned. 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