Interim Toronto Police Chief, James Ramer, has issued an apology over the handling of the Dafonte Miller case.
He admitted that Toronto Police were notified of the off-duty actions of Constable Michael Theriault the night Miller was beaten in December 2016.
"As we have so many times before, we used the information available to us that evening to determine whether we should report to the SIU. We made the wrong decision that night," Ramer said.
He also alluded to some confusion at the time over whether or not the SIU should be called in for a situation involving an off-duty police officer.
"As a result of that decision, trust has been broken between the police, Dafonte Miller and the broader community," Ramer said. "From now on, the Toronto Police will notify the SIU in all cases where a police officer has been involved in an incident that results in serious injury."
Ramer said he and now-retired police chief Mark Saunders did not become aware of the incident until months after it had happened.
He added that a report by the Office of the Independent Police Review Director has been completed and shared with Miller but that he is not allowed to release it to the public, citing confidentiality requirements under the Police Services Act.
Theriault was found guilty of assault earlier this year but has not yet been sentenced. Ramer says he is still employed by the police service, noting that the court case is not yet complete. He says both sides are appealing the verdict.
In an email statement to NEWSTALK1010, Theriault's lawyer Michael Lacy says Crown counsel has appealed the aquittals of Theriault and his brother Christian, who were both acquitted of charges of obstruction of justice.
Toronto Mayor John Tory issued the following statement following Ramer's announcement:
“Today, Interim Chief Ramer spoke about the OIPRD's conclusion that the SIU should have been notified in the Dafonte Miller case.
The police service has acknowledged that trust has been broken between the police, Dafonte Miller and the broader community.
Beyond the apology from Interim Chief Ramer today, he has publicly committed that Toronto Police will notify the SIU in all cases where a police officer - whether they are on or off duty - has been involved in an incident that results in serious injury.
This is an important step towards repairing trust, greater accountability and the reform that the police service and the police services board has committed to.
We know that further action is needed and I know Interim Chief Ramer is committed to working with the Police Services Board and Council on important efforts to continue to modernize the service."