News Release
SIU Investigates Custody Death in Toronto
Case Number: 05-TCD-052
At approximately 1:30 a.m., Toronto Police Service (TPS) officers were called to Queen Street East near Victoria Street in response to reports of a man behaving in a strange manner on the street. The man was arrested, went into medical distress and was immediately taken to St. Michael's Hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.
A post mortem examination will take place this afternoon. The man's identity is being withheld pending notification of next-of-kin. SIU investigators have processed the scene and are interviewing civilian witnesses. The SIU is appealing for anyone who witnessed this incident to contact the Unit at 416-622-2038 or 1-800-787-8529.
No further information is available at this time.
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