The DRPS said some of the allegations were ’criminal in nature’
The Durham Regional Police Service has referred the assault case involving Aitken Roberston lawyer Sudine Riley to the York Regional Police for criminal investigation.
Per a statement from Riley’s lawyer Neha Chugh, Riley, a Black female criminal defence lawyer, was working in an interview room at Oshawa’s Superior Court of Justice on January 23 when she was reportedly assaulted by two uniformed DRPS officers who “challenged her presence.” The officers allegedly slammed Riley’s head into a desk, causing her to bleed, dragged her from the room to cells in the courthouse’s basement, and tore off her headscarf before arresting her for a Trespass to Property Act-related offence.
The DRPS said last week that it had reassigned the officers and informed two civilian oversight agencies – the Law Enforcement Complaints Agency and the Special Investigations Unit – of the claims. SIU had refused to investigate the matter.
In a statement released on January 30, the DRPS said claims related to Riley’s arrest went beyond misconduct and were “criminal in nature”; thus, it would formally be referring the case to the York Regional Police for a criminal investigation. The DRPS said it had previously informed the York Regional Police that its investigative services might be needed.
The DRPS said it had communicated updates on the situation to the inspector general.
Riley’s incident was met with outcry from the legal profession. The group Women In Canadian Criminal Defence told the executive legal officers of the Ontario Court of Justice, Ontario Superior Court of Justice, and Ontario Court of Appeal that its members had become afraid for their safety; thus, requests from them to attend hearings virtually should not be questioned.
The Criminal Lawyers’ Association said it was supporting Riley through courthouse advocacy headed by its Durham representative. It also urged the chief of police to name an expert in human rights and anti-Black racism as an independent external investigator pursuant to section 198(3) of the Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019, S.O. 2019 – a call echoed by the Canadian Bar Association and the Advocates’ Society.
Moreover, defence bar members held a sit-in at the courthouse to support Riley.
