Dafonte Miller Case: ‘Troubling Aspects and Unanswered Questions’ Proclaims Mayor of Toronto, Tory
On July 25, 2017, the Toronto Star reported on the internal document prepared by the Toronto Police in respect of the Dafonte Miller assault. Mayor, John Tory stated, “I am concerned at some of what I’ve read, there are a number of unanswered questions and the incident is “deeply troubling,” surrounding the beating of Dafonte Miller by Toronto Constable Michael Theriault and his brother Christian.
Lawyer, Julian Falconer who represents Miller, told the Star following Tory’s comment about the police force meeting behind closed doors Thursday, that he can understand why the service has to be able to debrief its board in private. “But then one hopes that that process becomes less opaque and that they understand the importance of answering serious questions.” At its heart, the board has a responsibility to do proper oversight . . . This is a policy question: Is this a police service run amok when one of their own — a son of one of their own, two sons of one of their own — does wrong or is this a situation where they’re going to be accountable?”
The provincial Police Services Act dictates that a police service must notify the SIU immediately of any incident that falls under their mandate, including cases of serious injuries involving officers. It was Falconers LLP, not Durham or Toronto police, who alerted the SIU to Miller’s injuries in April. All charges against Miller were dropped in May.
Following an SIU investigation, both of the Theriault brothers have been charged with aggravated assault, assault with a weapon and public mischief. The allegations have not yet been tested in court. Their father, John Theriault, is a detective who has served more than 30 years with Toronto Police and currently works in the professional standards unit, which deals with officer misconduct, Falconer stated.
Video Links
Dafonte Miller’s Lawyer, Julian Falconer, says Chief Saunders should stop doing ‘damage control’ CP24, July 26, 2017
Police chief denies cover up in investigation of Dafonte Miller assault case 680 News, July 26, 2017
Toronto Police Chief, Saunders, says ‘nothing overlooked’ during investigation into assault of Dafonte Miller CTV News, July 26, 2017
Toronto Police Chief denies ‘cover up’ in alleged ‘violent attack’ by off duty officer Global News, July 26, 2017
In the News
Chief Saunders says independent agency will probe police handling of Dafonte Miller assault case 680 News, July 27, 2017
Waterloo police will conduct third-party investigation of Dafonte Miller case CP24, July 27, 20117
Police board ‘has a responsibility’ to make public statement about Dafonte Miller case, former chair says CBC, July 27, 2017
MAYOR TROUBLED BY INTERNAL REPORT ON POLICE ASSAULT Toronto Star Touch, July 26, 2017
Toronto police chief denies ‘cover up’ in alleged ‘violent attack’ by off-duty officer Global News, July 26, 2017
Public trust in police eroded in aftermath of Whitby altercation Durhamregionnews, July 26, 2017
Chief Saunders defends decision not to notify police watchdog after teen beaten in Whitby Toronto Star, July 26, 2017
Chief Saunders answers feeble on eve of TPS board meeting The South Bayview Bulldog, July 26, 2017
Lawyer for Dafonte Miller says Chief Saunders should stop doing ‘damage control’ CP24, July 26, 2017
Saunders says ‘nothing overlooked’ during investigation into assault on Dafonte Miller CTV News, July 26, 2017
‘It was not a cover-up’ Police chief faces mounting questions over Dafonte Miller case CBC, July 26,2017
‘There was no cover-up,’ police chief says about Dafonte Miller case CP24, July 26, 2017
Internal report on Dafonte Miller police assault leaves ‘unanswered questions,’ Mayor Tory says Toronto Star, July 25, 2017
Confidential report leaves ‘unanswered questions’ about Dafonte Miller case, Mayor Tory says CBC, July 24, 2017
