Sunday, August 07, 2011

Toronto Police Deaths and Injuries in Custody From Juy 31, 2011

By Selwyn A. Pieters, B.A., LL.B.
Barrister, Solicitor & Notary Public

July 31, 2011 at the Caribana Parade, three people shot, one died, two injured, all from police bullets.

August 1, 2011 a disabled man who is walking with his mother is killed by the police in an encounter that may well be a case of mistaken identity.

August 07, 2011, another police shooting at Pharmacy Avenue and Conroy Avenue.

The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) is a civilian law enforcement agency, independent of the police, however, comprised of mostly retired police officers on its investigative staff, that conducts criminal investigations into circumstances involving police and civilians that have resulted in serious injury, death or allegations of sexual assault. Very rarely are any charges laid against police officers and the standards set by the SIU to lay charges are quite higher than that used to charge civilians.

It would be interesting to see the results of the various investigations into these incidents. However, for some perspective, see: Ombudsman Ontario, Oversight Unseen, 2008.

1 comment:

E.J. Guiste said...

Not a good record by any standard. Personal liability for their acts and omissions may be a good detterent.