Our Staff
Led by the Director, the SIU consists of about 85 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, Ministry of the Solicitor General and Ministry of the Attorney General
- University campus security
- Toronto Transit Commission
- Municipal bylaw authority
Regional Investigators
In addition to the lead investigators, the SIU currently has a roster of 25 regional 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 11 as-required forensic staff, 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 3D Scanning Technology, 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, information and guidance to affected persons throughout the investigative and court processes. An affected person is a complainant, their family members/loved ones, civilian witnesses, and members of the public who have been negatively impacted, directly or indirectly, by an incident under SIU investigation.
The APP team is comprised of one full-time and three as-required Affected Persons Coordinators. Team members 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
Employee Categories, as of November 2024 | Sex | Diversity | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Male | Female | Racialized Communities | Black | Indigenous | White | |
All Staff (95) | 65% (62) | 35% (33) | 14% (13) | 4% (4) | 1% (1) | 81% (77) |
Senior Leadership (12) | 67% (8) | 33% (4) | 17% (2) | 8% (1) | 8% (1) | 67% (8) |
Administrative Professionals (10) | 30% (3) | 70% (7) | 60% (6) | 0% (0) | 0% (0) | 40%(4) |
Other Professionals (11) | 36% (4) | 64% (7) | 27% (3) | 0% (0) | 0% (0) | 73% (8) |
Full-time Investigators (16) | 81% (13) | 19% (3) | 6% (1) | 6% (1) | 0% (0) | 88% (14) |
As-needed Investigators (32) | 66% (21) | 34% (11) | 3% (1) | 6% (2) | 0% (0) | 91% (29) |
Forensic Investigators (14) | 92% (13) | 8% (1) | 0% (0) | 0% (0) | 0% (0) | 100% (14) |
Population (Source – Statistics Canada) | ||||||
GTA (Metropolitan Area) | 49% | 51% | 44% | 8% | 1% | 48% |
Ontario | 49% | 51% | 24% | 5% | 3% | 69% |
Notes
- SIU Representative Workforce:
- As of November 2024, SIU’s total workforce = 95 employees.
- Ex-police vs Civilians
- Excluding Forensic Investigators
50% vs 50% - Including Forensic Investigators
60% vs 40% - Investigative experience
- Of the 16 lead investigators, 11 have no policing experience in Ontario.
- Of the 32 as-required investigators, 13 have civilian backgrounds and 19 come to the Unit with a police background.
- Of the 14 forensic investigators employed by the SIU, 13 have police backgrounds.