Ontario’s police watchdog says criminal charges have been laid against two Toronto officers in connection with a shooting last year.
The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) announced Thursday that its director Joseph Martino “has reasonable grounds to believe” that the two officers committed criminal offences in relation to the June 11, 2023 shooting.
Around noon on that day, officers were in the Dufferin and College streets area when they located a Cadillac that had reportedly been stolen, the SIU said.
“An interaction ensued with the vehicle occupants – a 26-year-old man and a 45-year-old man – and two officers discharged their firearms in the direction of the men inside the Cadillac,” the watchdog said.
The Cadillac fled but struck a pole and then came to a stop, the SIU said.
The men were arrested and the 26 year old was taken to hospital to be treated for injuries.
A news release issued by the SIU at the time said it did not appear that either man was struck by police gunfire.
As a result of the investigation, Const. Jamie Denysek and Const. Derek MacNeil have been charged with one count of assault with a weapon, one count of careless use of a firearm, and one count of discharging a firearm with intent to wound, maim, disfigure, or endanger life.
A spokesperson for the Toronto Police Service told Global News both officers have been suspended with pay as per the Police Services Act.
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Denysek has been with Toronto police for one year and nine months, while MacNeil has been with the service for four years and nine months, the spokesperson said.
The officers are scheduled to appear in court in Toronto on March 12.
“As the matter is before the courts, and in consideration of the fair trial interests of the accused, the SIU will not provide further comment on the investigation,” the SIU said.
Jon Reid, the president of the Toronto Police Association (TPA), said since the time of the incident, the TPA has provided support to the officers, their families and colleagues, as is the usual process for any member of the association who is charged by the SIU.
“It is our responsibility to ensure our members receive fair representation throughout this process,” Reid said.
“Police officers are governed by the highest degree of oversight and accountability, more so than any other profession. As difficult as it may be, we must wait for the case to make its way through the courts and for the disciplinary process that will follow. In the interim, there is no value in passing judgement on these officers or with casting aspersions on an entire membership.”
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