The conduct of Durham Regional Police in relation to the assault and arrest of Dafonte Miller is now being investigated by Ontario’s independent police complaints agency.
According to the law firm representing Miller, Falconers LLP, complaints were filed with the Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD).
The conduct-related complaints were made against all of the Durham Regional Police officers who attended the scene the night of the incident, including the officer who provided her handcuffs to Michael Theriault — an off-duty Toronto police officer — a fact later learned during a trial for Michael and his brother, Christian Theriault.
Michael and Christian Theriault were charged with aggravated assault and attempting to obstruct justice for the December 2016 beating of Miller, in which the young man lost his left eye. Both men pleaded not guilty.
Michael was recently found guilty of assault, but not charged with aggravated assault and was also acquitted of obstruction of justice. Christian was acquitted of both obstruction and assault charges.
The Falconers LLP statement said the OIPRD advised the firm that an investigation would be done once the verdict was delivered and that it’s believed the investigation is underway.
Durham Regional Police and the OIPRD both refused to comment, citing provisions of the Police Services Act.
— With files from Jessica Patton