The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) has concluded its investigation into a May 31 arrest on Queens Quay West that resulted in a 21-year-old cyclist suffering a mild traumatic brain injury. the agency has determined there are no reasonable grounds to lay charges against the Toronto police officer involved in the incident.
The May 31 confrontation near Little Norway Crescent
The incident occurred during a period of targeted bicycle enforcement by Toronto police officers near the intersection of Queens Quay West and Little Norway Crescent. According to the SIU report, the 21-year-old cyclist allegedly disregarded a stop sign before directing profanity toward the officers stationed at the southwest corner of the intersection. This verbal exchange prompted officers to signal for the cyclist to be stopped, leading to a high-speed evasion attempt.
As the cyclist attempted to bike around the officers to avoid detention, one officer chased him and made contact with the man's backpack.. This contact caused the cyclist to lose control, toppling him onto the grass and sidewalk. The officer then fell on top of the man, pinning him to the ground while two additional officers arrived to assist with the handcuffing process.
A mild traumatic brain injury and the SIU's lawful verdict
While the cyclist was ultimately diagnosed with a mild traumatic brain injury, SIU Director Joseph Martino concluded that the force used during the arrest was within the range of what is considered lawful . Martino noted that the risk of injury during the interaction was moderate, particularly because the cyclist had significantly slowed down just as the officer stepped in front of him to initiate the tackle.
The SIU's legal assessment focused on the necessity of the officer's actions to maintain control of the situation. Martino stated that once the cyclist was on the ground, the officer would have been rightly concerned that the man would continue his efforts to flee.. This specific concern, the report says, justifies the officer's decision to wrestle the cyclist firmly to the ground and keep him pinned until backup arrived.
Uncertainty in the viral footage regarding the backpack contact
The arrest was captured on camera and subsequently posted online, but the video has left several specific deails unverified. The SIU report notes that it remains unclear whether the officer's contact with the cyclist's backpack was an intentional attempt to grab hold of the man or an effort to push him off the e-bike. This ambiguity regarding the officer's physical intent remains one of the primary unanswered questions from the recorded encounter.
David Shellnut’s warnings about aggressive police tactics
Legal representation for the cyclist, David Shellnut of The Biking Lawyer, has previously expressed significant concerns regarding the aggressive nature of the police response. Shellnut's position highlights a growing tension between municipal enforcement efforts and the safety of the local cycling community during targeted stops. Although the SIU has officially closed the investigation without charges, the cyclist was still issued a ticket and released from custody following the incident.
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