Toronto Police officer won’t be charged in cyclist arrest that led to head injury: SIU - Toronto Star

Videos of the arrest were shared widely in June, leading to claims of 'excessive use of force.' 

A video shared online in May by David Shellnutt, a lawyer and cycling advocate in the city of Toronto, shows multiple police officers tackling a cyclist at an intersection near a bike lane on Queens Quay.

Ontario’s police watchdog has cleared a Toronto police officer of criminal offence in connection with the arrest of a cyclist that led to serious injury. 

On May 31, a 21-year-old cyclist was arrested by Toronto Police Service after failing to stop at a stop sign at Queens Quay West. The cyclist required medical care following the arrest and was later diagnosed with a mild traumatic brain injury. 

The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) published a release on Tuesday stating that the investigation found “no reasonable grounds to believe a Toronto Police Service officer committed a criminal offence” during the arrest.

The SIU report states that the cyclist shouted “f—k the police” and attempted to resist arrest while being pursued on foot by the police. 

The report also states that the cyclist fell to the ground after he “lost control of his bicycle and toppled over onto the grass boulevard and sidewalk.” The report then states that an officer fell on top of the cyclist and forced him to the ground. 

According to the report, these events were captured on police body camera footage. 

Video of the arrest shared online in June showed the cyclist being tackled by multiple police officers and the cyclist can be heard saying, “Please, it’s hurting too much.” 

The injured cyclist’s lawyer, David Shellnutt, responded to the SIU decision Tuesday in a post on X. 

“And you’ve just greenlit a use of force tactic that says it’s ok for police to tackle people off bikes, the equivalent approach to motor vehicles isn’t permitted. Make it make sense?” wrote Shellnutt. 

Over the summer, Shellnutt had circulated the video of the arrest widely, sparking strong reactions from many viewers. 

Chris Birkett, who witnessed the arrest from his balcony, told the Star that the police response was “a total overreaction,” adding that the number of officers was “totally unnecessary.” 

At the time, Toronto Police spokesperson Stephanie Sayer told the Star: “I can tell you that we have reviewed the body-worn camera footage and are satisfied that our officers acted appropriately in the circumstances.”

Four days after the arrest, cyclists gathered in Little Norway Park for an anti-cyclist violence protest. 

Megan Mills Devoe is a staff reporter with the Toronto Star. Reach her via email: mmillsdevoe@thestar.ca