News Release
SIU Concludes Investigation into Man’s Hospitalization in Toronto Police Custody
Case Number: 25-TCI-057
The Special Investigations Unit found no reasonable grounds to believe two Toronto Police Service officers committed a criminal offence in connection with the hospitalization of a 57-year-old man after he lapsed into medical distress while in custody.
On February 11, 2025, the man was arrested for being in contravention of a release order by attending a shopping mall upset about his banking situation. He was taken to 31 Division where he appeared to be thoroughly searched. He asked to go to hospital where he was seen by a doctor. Following that, he was taken to 32 Division and lodged in a cell. Shortly after, he appeared to ingest a substance after manipulating his shoes. Later he was found unresponsive. Paramedics arrived at the cell and transported the man to hospital where he spent time in the ICU.
Director Joseph Martino was satisfied that the police personnel who cared for him comported themselves with due regard for his well-being through his time in custody. The man was subjected to what appeared to be a thorough search of his person and clothing on arrival at 31 Division, which had turned up nothing of concern. There is also evidence that the man was regularly monitored while in the cell at 32 Division by the special constables tasked with that responsibility.
Full Director’s Report (with Incident Narrative, Evidence, and Analysis & Director’s Decision):
The SIU is an independent government agency that investigates the conduct of officials (municipal, regional and provincial police officers, police officers with the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service, 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