News Release
Toronto Police Officer Charged
Case Number: 09-TSA-234
The SIU was contacted on September 8, 2009, regarding a complaint of a sexual nature against one officer with the TPS. The alleged incident occurred six days prior, on September 2, 2009. The SIU was notified that on this date, the 21-year-old man was stopped for driving infractions. There was an interaction, and as a result, the man sustained injuries.
As a result of the SIU investigation, Constable Salameh Marji of the TPS is facing one charge of Sexual Assault, contrary to s. 271 of the Criminal Code of Canada and one charge of Assault, contrary to s. 266 of the Criminal Code of Canada.
A summons was served on the officer today, and he is compelled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice at College Park Courthouse in Toronto on January 18, 2010. The Justice Prosecutions branch of the Ministry of the Attorney General will have carriage of the prosecution.
As this matter is now before the courts, and in consideration of the fair trial interests of the charged officer and the community, the SIU will make no further comment pertaining to this investigation.
The SIU is an independent government agency that investigates the conduct of officials (police officers as well as 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