News Release

SIU Charges Toronto Police Officer with Assault Causing Bodily Harm

Case Number: 24-TCI-090   

Mississauga, ON (18 September, 2024) ---
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has reasonable grounds to believe a Toronto Police Service officer committed a criminal offence in relation to the serious injury of a 53-year-old man in February 2024.

As a result of the SIU investigation, Cst James Richmond is charged with one count of assault causing bodily harm, contrary to section 267(b) of the Criminal Code.

Cst Richmond is required to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice at 10 Armoury Street in Toronto on October 14, 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.

Monica Hudon, siu.media@ontario.ca
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES