York Regional Police have decided not to file criminal charges against Durham Regional Police Service officers after looking into the arrest and alleged assault of a lawyer at the Oshawa courthouse earlier this year.
A statement from York police on Wednesday indicated that investigators found “no reasonable grounds” for criminal charges against any of the officers involved.
This situation dates back to January 23, when Sudine Riley, a Black criminal defence lawyer, was working late in an interview room at the courthouse following a trial.
A news release from her counsel at that time stated that uniformed Durham police officers questioned her presence in the room before things escalated into violence.
Riley claimed that officers slammed her head onto a desk, used their knees on her back and neck, and spoke to her with “rage, disrespect and contempt.”
She mentioned that she was handcuffed afterward and taken to basement cells. The allegations included claims that her headscarf was torn off and her skirt was lifted during the struggle, leaving her bloodied and swollen.
Initially, Riley was arrested and charged under the Trespass to Property Act.
She said she received a trespass notice just ten minutes after the courthouse had closed.
The incident led to immediate backlash from legal advocacy groups like the Criminal Lawyers’ Association and the Black Action Defence Committee, both demanding an independent investigation.
While Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit initially chose not to act, Durham police formally referred the criminal aspect of the investigation to York police in late January for impartiality’s sake.
A statement from the Criminal Lawyers’ Association on Thursday expressed their interest in more “transparency” regarding why York police opted not to press charges.
“We continue to pay close attention to this matter and look forward to the outcome of the LECA investigation,” said Adam Weisberg, president of the Criminal Lawyers’ Association.
In their statement, Durham police reiterated their commitment to transparency while aiming to maintain public trust in court security.
Sudine Riley’s lawyer, Atrisha Lewis, stated that Riley feels “disappointed” by York police’s decision not to pursue criminal charges.
“No lawyer working in a courthouse should be subject to the treatment Ms. Riley faced,” Lewis noted.
Lewis added that Riley is “committed” to exploring all legal options for accountability purposes.
“Black lawyers, like all lawyers, should be able to work freely in courthouses in this province without being assaulted,” she emphasized.
Durham police announced that they have now referred this matter to the Law Enforcement Complaints Agency for an independent review of whether any misconduct occurred during their interaction.
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