An unmarked police car from Toronto struck two individuals on a scooter during a 2024 operation in Whitby. Jon Woodward covers the concerns raised about this incident.
An Ontario judge has dismissed evidence following an unusual takedown near a Canadian Tire store in Whitby, Ont., where surveillance footage showed an officer suddenly crashing his unmarked police vehicle into two men on a scooter.
Four different surveillance videos capture the moment the duo is thrown off their scooter. The officer then gets out of his vehicle and chases one of them through the Garden Centre. The other man quickly moves to retrieve what looks like a dropped gun, only to be struck again by another police car, getting pinned between both vehicles.
It was revealed in court that this operation began due to a misunderstanding over the police radio – nothing went as planned – leading to an assault conviction for the Toronto officer involved.
Evidence tossed Video evidence was tossed after a takedown near a Canadian Tire in Whitby, Ont., saw an unmarked police car slamming into two people riding a scooter.
“I think maybe the cops watch too many crime movies,” said former Toronto Mayor John Sewell, who is now part of the Toronto Police Accountability Coalition.
“The cop thought he was doing something reasonable – I mean, maybe he didn’t think at all,” he added.
This incident took place on June 25, 2024, when a group of officers from Toronto went to a mall area featuring a Canadian Tire to attempt to arrest Trayvon Palmer, who was wanted for violating bail conditions.
The officers spotted him riding an electric scooter alongside another man named Paul Lewis. That’s when one officer remarked over the radio, “We should block them in and take them right now.”
Constable Joshua Baksh interpreted that as permission to speed towards them with his unmarked vehicle, sending both riders flying off their scooter.
Palmer fled while Baksh pursued him through the garden centre. Meanwhile, Lewis took off in another direction and lost control when hit by the second police car which sent his gun flying away.
Const. Joshua Baksh Const. Joshua Baksh can be seen wearing orange in video footage as he chases after suspects through Canadian Tire’s garden centre.
The footage shows Lewis being arrested while paramedics transport him into an ambulance due to serious injuries sustained.
He suffered spinal and rib fractures among other injuries, according to his lawyer David Campos. Campos challenged the gun charges based on Canada’s Charter of Rights stating that Lewis faced arbitrary and dangerous force along with unlawful detention.
“He was not a suspect, not wanted, not observed committing crimes,” Campos stated. “He should never have had to face being run over by a 4,000-pound vehicle used as a kinetic weapon.”
It came out that Lewis violated his bail by being outside without proper surety supervision. The judge dismissed the gun evidence effectively acquitting Lewis except for failing to comply with bail terms.
The Crown decided not to pursue charges against Palmer. Baksh faced charges from the Special Investigations Unit and pled guilty to assault.
“As this matter is ongoing before the courts, any internal disciplinary actions will be postponed until criminal proceedings are complete. The officer remains employed at TPS but holds a non-public-facing position,” stated the Toronto Police Service.
Through representation from the Toronto Police Association, Baksh declined further comments.
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Const. Joshua Baksh Const. Joshua Baksh can be seen wearing orange in video footage as he chases after suspects through Canadian Tire’s garden centre.
The footage shows Lewis being arrested while paramedics transport him into an ambulance due to serious injuries sustained.
He suffered spinal and rib fractures among other injuries, according to his lawyer David Campos. Campos challenged the gun charges based on Canada’s Charter of Rights stating that Lewis faced arbitrary and dangerous force along with unlawful detention.
“He was not a suspect, not wanted, not observed committing crimes,” Campos stated. “He should never have had to face being run over by a 4,000-pound vehicle used as a kinetic weapon.”
It came out that Lewis violated his bail by being outside without proper surety supervision. The judge dismissed the gun evidence effectively acquitting Lewis except for failing to comply with bail terms.
The Crown decided not to pursue charges against Palmer. Baksh faced charges from the Special Investigations Unit and pled guilty to assault.
“As this matter is ongoing before the courts, any internal disciplinary actions will be postponed until criminal proceedings are complete. The officer remains employed at TPS but holds a non-public-facing position,” stated the Toronto Police Service.
Through representation from the Toronto Police Association, Baksh declined further comments.
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