TORONTO — In his first press conference as Toronto's interim police chief, James Ramer apologized for the force's decision to not notify the province's police watchdog after an off-duty officer assaulted a young Black man.
Ramer said Thursday that police didn't notify the Special Investigations Unit about the beating of Dafonte Miller because Const. Michael Theriault was off-duty at the time of the incident.
"As a result of that decision, trust has been broke between the police, Dafonte Miller and the broader community," said Ramer in delivering the apology.
"We understand clearly now the legislation does not distinguish between on-duty and off-duty conduct, and neither will we."
The force will change its policy to explicitly state that the SIU must be notified when either on- or off-duty officers are involved in an incident that leads to a death, serious injury or alleged sexual assault, Ramer said.
Const. Michael Theriault was convicted earlier this year of assaulting Dafonte Miller but acquitted of aggravated assault and obstruction of justice. His brother, Christian Theriault, was fully acquitted after a judge said there was a possibility that self-defence was a factor in his involvement in the altercation.
The judge in the case found that Miller was stealing items from cars in 2016 when the brothers chased Miller and beat him, including with a pipe.
The attack left Miller with a ruptured eye and other serious injuries.
Ramer, who is taking over the top job from former chief Mark Saunders until a permanent replacement is found, said Thursday that addressing anti-Black systemic racism will be one of his priorities in the position.
Toronto Mayor John Tory called Ramer's comments a step in the right direction towards reforming and repairing trust with the community.
"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," Tory said in a statement.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 6, 2020.
Salmaan Farooqui, The Canadian Press
