Police watchdog investigating after man dies while handcuffed by Toronto police

Ontario’s police watchdog says it’s investigating after a 32-year-old man was pronounced dead shortly after being tasered by Toronto police officers on Sunday.

In a social media post shared Sunday evening, the Toronto Police Service said its officers had responded to a priority call at approximately 5:41 p.m. in the area of Keele Street and Broad Oaks Drive.

The watchdog says the officers discharged a “conducted energy weapon” at the man. 

Investigators say the man was handcuffed and he went into medical distress. 

The SIU says the man was pronounced dead at the scene in North York.

Speaking to reporters on Monday morning, SIU Spokesperson Kristy Denette says the call initially came in as a “disturbance.”

The SIU is now investigating whether the taser played a role in man’s death.

Four investigators and two forensic investigators have been assigned to the case.

The SIU is an independent government agency that investigates the conduct of police, among other officials, that may have resulted in death, serious injury, sexual assault and/or the discharge of a firearm at a person. 

-With files from The Canadian Press