Toronto cops won’t face charges after alleged drug dealer suffered broken ribs during arrest in Burlington

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Published December 2, 2022 at 4:41 pm

SIU investigates after Brampton pedestrian struck by police car

The provincial Special Investigations Unit (SIU) has cleared three Toronto police officers of any wrongdoing during an August arrest in Burlington.

According to the SIU report, three Toronto Police Service officers were conducting an undercover purchase of “thousands of dollars of fentanyl” in a parking lot on Brant St.

During the arrest, the suspect suffered several broken ribs and a collapsed lung and was treated at hospital.

The arresting officers refused to submit to an interview with the SIU, or provide their notes, both within their rights.

Joseph Martino, the director of the SIU, authored the final report that decided not to pursue charges against the officers.

“Police officers are immune from criminal liability for force used in the course of their duties provided such force was reasonably necessary in the execution of an act that they were required or authorized to do by law.

“I am satisfied that the complainant was subject to lawful arrest at the time of the events in question. He was in possession of illicit drugs at the time, and endeavouring to sell them to an undercover officer.

“With respect to the force brought to bear by the subject officials in the Complainant’s arrest, the evidence is insufficiently cogent to warrant criminal charges. In my view, not enough is known of what precisely occurred between the officers and the Complainant from the moment he was confronted in the undercover vehicle with arrest until he was handcuffed on the ground.”

The matter is now closed.

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