News Release
Toronto Police Service Police Officer Charged
Case Number: 10-TFD-210
Other News Releases Related to Case 10-TFD-210
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Toronto Police Officer Faces Second Charge
On September 29, 2010, members of the TPS executed a search warrant at an apartment on Dunbloor Road. During the search there was an interaction between the police and a 26-year-old man. As a result, Eric Osawe sustained a fatal gunshot wound.
As a result of the SIU investigation, Constable David Cavanagh of the TPS is facing one charge of Manslaughter, contrary to s. 236(a) of the Criminal Code of Canada.
The officer is required to appear on January 6, 2011, before the Ontario Court of Justice (College Park Building) , 444 Yonge Street,Toronto. 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