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Toronto police officer charged with manslaughter, aggravated assault in teen’s death

February 10, 2023  By Tyler Griffin, The Canadian Press


Feb. 10, 2023, Toronto –  A Toronto police officer has been charged with manslaughter and aggravated assault in the April 2021 death of a teenager, Ontario’s police watchdog announced Friday.

The Special Investigations Unit said it had reasonable grounds to believe Const. Calvin Au, who was off-duty at the time, committed criminal offences in the death of 19-year-old Chadd Facey.

An investigation found that two off-duty Toronto police officers met and interacted with Facey in Brampton, Ont., on April 26, 2021, the SIU said.

“Later that day, Mr. Facey was transported to hospital by ambulance where he was subsequently pronounced deceased,” the SIU wrote in a statement.

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Au is charged with one count of manslaughter and one count of aggravated assault. He is set to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton on March 2.

The SIU said it will not provide further comment on the investigation “as the matter is before the courts.”

Toronto police said Au, 33, has been with the force for eight and a half years and was most recently assigned to its 55 Division. He will be immediately suspended as a result of the charges per the Police Services Act, it said.

The force said it immediately notified the SIU once it learned in August 2021 about the off-duty incident, and will continue to fully co-operate through the court proceedings.

Toronto police said a separate internal investigation has been suspended while the criminal proceedings are ongoing.

An investigation by the force’s Professional Standards Investigative Unit into the conduct of Au and another constable who does not face criminal charges will resume once criminal proceedings end, police said. The findings of that investigation so far have been shared with prosecution services.

Both Au and the other officer will face a police tribunal for allegations of serious misconduct, the force said.

It will also conduct an administrative investigation by the police chief, as required by provincial legislation whenever the SIU investigates a case involving death.

“Any recommendations from these investigations with respect to procedures, governance and conduct will be carefully considered,” said Social Media Relations Officer Victor Kwong.

“As the matter is before the court, the service will have no further comment at this time.”

When asked about the charges against Au, Toronto Police Association President Jon Reid said “any death is tragic and impacts everyone involved.”

“We will continue to ensure our member is treated fairly throughout the process,” he wrote in a statement.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 10, 2023.

 


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