SIU Lays Criminal Charges Against TPS Officer Who Beat Black Youth

On July 18, 2017, following a full investigation, the Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Mr. Anthony Loparco, laid criminal charges of aggravated assault, assault with a weapon, and public mischief against Constable, Michael Theriault of 42 Division, of the Toronto Police Service. Constable Theriault is charged after beating 19-year-old, Dafonte Miller, while off-duty during the early morning hours of December 28, 2016.

Lawyer, Julian Falconer, who represents the youth believes the attack was racially motivated, and stated, “the major facts are as follows: my client is black, and he’s a black young male.”

Falconer went on to say, “the way police handled this case points to much larger systemic problems. Such as, Durham Regional Police not contacting the homeowner where Miller banged on the door for help, and questioning what was done to ascertain the sobriety of the two individuals involved,” when asked if he thinks the off-duty officer could have been drunk.

Additionally, the police never contacted the SIU, which investigates all cases of serious injury or death involving police in Ontario. It was Falconers LLP who alerted the SIU to the case.

The interaction resulted in the loss of the Miller’s left-eye, suffered as a direct result of the assault, which included the use of a metal pipe. Constable Theriault suffered no injuries.

Click to Play: Dafonte Miller 19, beaten with pipe by off-duty officer: Julian Falconer Interview   CP24

In the News

What the last few years in Toronto tell us about our police Toronto Star, July 25, 2017

Durham and T.O. cops jeopardize search for truth   Toronto Sun, July 22, 2017

Police failure to report altercation between teen, off-duty cop in Whitby amounts to ‘cover up’, lawyer charges    July 19, 2017, DurhamRegion.com

Toronto police officer charged after man, 19, beaten and blinded in left eye    CBC, July 18, 2017

SIU Lays Charge Against Toronto Police Officer   Special Investigations Unit: News Release, July 18, 2017

Toronto cop charged after man assaulted in Whitby    Toronto Star, July 18, 2017

Alleged victim’s family speaks out after Toronto cop charged with assault    Toronto Star, July 18, 2017

Off-duty Toronto cop charged with ‘gratuitous and senseless attack    Toronto Sun, July 18, 2017

Off-duty cop charged with aggravated assault after altercation leaves teen seriously injured    Durham Region July 18, 2017

SIU charges Toronto cop for off-duty incident in Whitby    CP24, July 18, 2017

Toronto cop charged after teen beat with steel pipe and blinded in one eye Vice News, July 18, 2017

Un policier de Toronto accusé d’avoir battu un jeune Noir    CBC Radio Cananda, July 19, 2017

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