Our Staff

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.

Investigator's Creed

I believe that in all investigations, I must keep an open mind, pursue all leads and be determined in the pursuit of the truth.

I believe that I must maintain the integrity of all investigations, ensure they are thorough, comprehensive, conducted sensitively and in a timely fashion.

I believe that all investigations must be independent and guided by established rules and policies, both internal and external.

I believe that I must set aside my personal biases during any investigation.

I believe that affected persons, their family members and involved officials must be treated with fairness, respect and sensitivity because they have been through a very trying experience.

I believe that whenever it is possible, I should keep the involved law enforcement agency, the involved officials and all others affected by my investigations informed about what I am doing and why, as long as it does not affect the integrity of my investigations or my oath as a peace officer and public servant.

I believe that it is part of my duty to do everything I can to improve the working relationship between the SIU, the law enforcement agencies of Ontario and the people of Ontario.

I believe that it is important for me to continue to develop my skill and expertise as a professional investigator and to strive to exceed the community standard of morals and ethics.

I believe that I am accountable to my colleagues, my leaders and to the diversified community of the Province of Ontario.

I believe that I should respect the ethnic, cultural and religious beliefs of all those affected by my investigations and honour those ethnic, cultural and religious beliefs to the extent that they do not adversely affect the integrity of my investigation.

I believe that it is important for me to advise the Director of law enforcement agencies and officials that are not cooperating with investigations and to provide the particulars of  that to the Director. Similarly, I believe that it is important for me to advise the Director of law enforcement agencies and officials who are cooperating fully with my investigations.

I believe that it is my duty to do what is right, even when there is no law or rule saying that I should do the right thing.