Bone broken for Brampton man during police takedown, SIU finds no wrongdoing

Ontario’s police watchdog has cleared Peel Regional Police officers after a man from Brampton arrested by police suffered a broken bone.

The incident occurred on June 21 and involved Peel police officers and a 36-year-old Brampton man. Police say officers spotted a wanted man at the intersection of Inspire Boulevard and Bramalea Road in Brampton around 10:05 a.m.

The 36-year-old suspect was seen exiting a Mercedes sedan, reported stolen earlier that day according to police.

Several plain-clothes police officers, including the Subject Officer (SO), had gathered in the vicinity of Bramalea Road and Mayfield Road with the intention of apprehending the occupants of a stolen vehicle.

The officers discreetly trailed the suspect as he crossed Inspire Boulevard and confronted him on foot while holding his cell phone. The SO was the first to reach the man, wrapping his arms around him and bringing him to the ground, SIU’s report stated

SIU’s report indicated that the suspect moved as if he was preparing to run as the officers approached.

The officer said he observed a silver object hanging from the front right pocket that he feared could be a weapon, according to the report, and the officer then tackled the suspect to the ground and arrested the suspect.

While in custody, the man complained of pain in his left shoulder. Officers then saw a bulge on the individual’s shoulder and transported him to Brampton Civic Hospital where he was diagnosed with a fractured clavicle.

“As for the force used by the SO, namely, a takedown, I am unable to reasonably conclude that it was unlawful, ” said the Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino.

“For the foregoing reasons, while I accept that the Complainant’s (suspect) clavicle was broken in the takedown, there is no basis for proceeding with criminal charges in this case. The file is closed,” he added.