News Release
SIU Concludes Investigation into Man’s Elbow Injury From Arrest in Toronto
Case Number: 25-TCI-196
The Special Investigations Unit found no reasonable grounds to believe a Toronto Police Service officer committed a criminal offence in connection with the possible fractured right elbow suffered by a 45-year-old man. On May 15, 2025, an officer arrested the man for trespassing at a Tim Hortons on Dundas Street West.
During the arrest, the officers attempted to wrestle the man’s arms behind his back, delivered a strike to his torso, followed by a takedown. Director Joseph Martino found it did not appear to be a disproportionate use of force. Though it was the takedown that probably resulted in the man’s injury, Director Martino found it appeared more a product of the awkward way the man fell.
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.
Kristy Denette, siu.media@ontario.ca
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES