News Release
SIU Terminates Investigation into Youth’s Serious Injuries in Toronto Arrest
Case Number: 25-TCI-115
The Deputy Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Stacey O’Brien, has terminated an investigation into a reported fractured thumb and concussion suffered by a male youth during his arrest by Toronto Police Service officers.
The SIU investigated after the lawyer for the youth contacted the SIU on March 21 to report the incident which occurred in January.
The male was arrested on January 8, 2025, in relation to the high-speed pursuit of a stolen vehicle in a residential area in north Toronto. The pursuit resulted in three separate collisions, concluding in the driveway of a residence. The male fled and was pursued by police officers both on foot and in a marked vehicle through a city park. There he was taken to the ground, handcuffed, and arrested. He was taken to hospital and reportedly diagnosed with a fractured thumb, and later a concussion. Efforts by the SIU to speak with the male have been unsuccessful. In the absence of a statement, there was insufficient evidentiary foundation to proceed with an investigation.
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
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Kristy Denette, siu.media@ontario.ca
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES