Our Staff

Led by the Director, the SIU consists of about 80 members who have a wide breadth of knowledge and experience in both investigative and support roles.


Support Staff

The SIU is supported by an Executive Officer, management team, as well as administrative and investigative staff.

Investigators

The SIU’s civilian investigators are central to the work of the Unit. In compliance with the Special Investigations Unit Act and internal operating procedures, investigators conduct independent investigations into incidents under the SIU’s mandate.

Lead Investigators

The SIU has a complement of 16 lead investigators who are stationed at the SIU’s headquarters in Mississauga. Lead investigators have the largest impact on investigations. They are responsible for interviewing key witnesses, developing and executing the investigative plan, and preparing the investigation report for the Director. Of the 16 lead investigators currently employed by the SIU, 10 have never worked as police officers in Ontario. Rather, their backgrounds include work with such organizations as:

  • College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario
  • Ontario’s Ministry of Labour and Ministry of the Attorney General
  • University campus security
  • Toronto Transit Commission 
  • Municipal bylaw authority

As-Required Investigators

In addition to the lead investigators, the SIU currently has a roster of 26 as-required investigators who are based throughout the province and are called on to assist with investigations based on regional needs. SIU investigators canvass the area for video sources and for those who may have information about the incident. As well, the investigators interview involved police officers, injured parties and witnesses. In death cases, investigators may notify next of kin and attend the autopsy.

Forensic Investigators

Criminal investigations cannot be competently conducted without the application of the highest quality of forensic science. Forensic investigators complement the investigative process by providing technical advice and assistance to investigators about the potential significance of physical evidence.

The forensic team, comprised of 10 as-required forensic investigators, is responsible for gathering, evaluating and protecting the physical evidence at the scene of an incident. Leading-edge digital and video camera equipment and sophisticated surveying tools, such as Total Station, allow forensic investigators to record and objectively analyze all critical components of an incident scene. The investigators are also responsible for interpreting trace evidence and recording the autopsy process. Forensic investigators have expertise in collision reconstruction, blood stain spatter analysis, scene surveying and firearm analysis.

Affected Persons Program 

Part of the SIU’s response to investigations is the activation of the Affected Persons Program, which provides support for affected persons and/or next-of-kin -- particularly in death and sexual assault allegation cases. 

The team is comprised of one full-time and two as-required Affected Persons Coordinators. Staff are strategically located throughout the province in an effort to respond to the needs of affected persons in a timely manner. The program is overseen by the Affected Persons Manager. 

Members of the Affected Persons Program team come from various employment backgrounds, such as: victim/witness assistance program, victim services, and the Canadian Mental Health Association.

The Numbers

Here is the breakdown of the 52 investigators who currently work at the SIU:

  • Job type: 16 lead investigators, 27 as-required investigators, nine forensic investigators.
  • Race: Eight investigators are persons of colour (including three Black and one First Nations investigators).
  • Gender: 41 men and 11 women.
  • Investigative experience: Of the 16 lead investigators, 10 have no policing experience in Ontario. Of the 27 as-required investigators, nine have civilian backgrounds and 17 come to the Unit with a police background. The nine forensic investigators employed by the SIU have police backgrounds.


Notes:

  • Of the 16 lead investigators, two were police officers outside of Canada, one was a First Nations police service officer, three were Ontario police service background officers and eight have no police experience.
  • Please note: The race and gender statistics are not based on self-identification of the investigators and are instead based on perception.
  • The numbers are accurate as of December 1, 2021.