News Release
SIU Concludes Investigation into Confrontation Between a Toronto Parking Enforcement Officer and a Man
Case Number: 08-TCI-153
Other News Releases Related to Case 08-TCI-153
In the early morning hours of August 4, 2008, a Parking Enforcement Officer (PEO) with the TPS was investigating a suspected stolen vehicle when he was confronted by Mr. Francois, whom he observed to be armed with a handgun. The car was parked in an area under police investigation due to the high number of abandoned stolen vehicles located there recently.
"The PEO was faced with a situation of grave danger and reacted with force to meet the threat," noted Director of the SIU, James Cornish. "Shortly after the confrontation started, TPS officers came to the assistance of the PEO in the belief that a firearm was involved and while the man was still struggling to evade arrest. "
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Director Cornish concluded: "I am satisfied that the members of the Toronto Police Service were proceeding lawfully to arrest Mr. Francois in all the circumstances. The PEO confronted the man and found himself in a struggle that he quite reasonably anticipated was for his life. The situation, in my view, called for the use of force by the PEO and the officers who came to his aid. The criminal law permits the use of force as long as that force is not more than is reasonably necessary in the circumstances. Having carefully considered the evidence, I am satisfied that the force used, consisting of multiple hand and knee strikes to Mr. Francois' body, was no more than was reasonably necessary to overcome Mr. Francois' resistance and effect his arrest."
Given the fact that the man is currently before the courts on serious criminal charges arising from this very incident, the SIU will not be releasing any more information to the public in order to protect the fair trial rights of Mr. Francois and the public.
If you or someone you know has been negatively affected by an incident under SIU investigation and would like support, the Affected Persons Program is here to help. You can reach us at 1-877-641-1897. Support is free, confidential, and available 24/7, every day of the year.
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