Police union head urges attorney general to probe SIU’s conduct

The head of the Toronto Police Association is calling for the director of Ontario’s police watchdog to step down while an independent inquiry by the attorney general can probe the “serious allegations” against him and the Special Investigations Unit (SIU).

Mike McCormack alleged SIU misconduct when it failed to act on two court-ordered arrest warrants for a man, Rhabian Rhodius, wanted on domestic assault and pot possession charges.

McCormack also said that the SIU released information to the public about a “serious injury” committed by a Toronto officer that had the potential to damage the officer’s reputation.

The officer was charged on April 7, 2011, by the SIU for assaulting a 61-year-old man who was being held in a police cell in Toronto. The SIU said the victim suffered a fracture during “an encounter with the officer.” But last October, the officer was acquitted by a judge who concluded the man didn’t suffer a fracture.

“These very serious allegations against the SIU…must be answered by an inquiry,” McCormack said.

A spokesman for the Ministry of the Attorney General said there will not be an inquiry and said to contact the SIU for comment on the matter.

Responding to the first allegation, SIU director Ian Scott said in a release Friday that Rhodius was told by SIU investigators of his outstanding arrest warrants, was strongly advised to speak to his lawyer and that he surrendered to police a few days later.

On the second allegation, Scott said the victim’s lawyer contacted the SIU about the serious injury matter and that medical records collected during the SIU investigation supported the opinion that the man suffered “a nasal bone fracture.”

“Mr. McCormack is entitled to his opinion about my leadership of the Unit,” Scott said. “Frankly, I would have been more surprised if he issued a news release saying he was happy with the way the Unit is currently functioning.”