The family of Sammy Yatim, the Toronto teen who was fatally shot by police last summer, say they are “extremely disappointed” to learn that Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair allowed the officer facing second-degree murder charges in the case to return to work.
Yatim’s family expressed outrage Thursday over the fact that Chief Blair allowed Const. James Forcillo to return to work in an administrative role with Crime Stoppers in February following a six-month paid suspension.
“We are extremely disappointed that a police officer charged with second-degree murder of which there is ample video evidence is being allowed to return to duty,” a family statement read.
“Forcillo is charged with a crime, how can he possibly work for Toronto CrimeStoppers?”
The family has scheduled a rally on April 27 at Toronto Police Headquarters
Forcillo’s lawyer Peter Brauti said police considered evidence in the case before putting Forcillo back on the job.
“In this particular case, after the Toronto Police Service evaluated the evidence, they brought officer Forcillo back onto administrative duties,” he told CTV Toronto.
Toronto Police Association President Mike McCormack says this is not an “irregular occurrence,” and that officers facing allegations often return to work under restrictive roles. The decision on Forcillo, he added, was made after a comprehensive risk assessment.
When Yatim was shot on July 27, 2013, videos of the incident recorded on bystanders’ cellphones were posted online, prompting accusations that police used excessive force.
In the videos, police are heard shouting at Yatim to drop a knife. Police then fire nine gunshots at the TTC streetcar.
Forcillo’s preliminary hearing is scheduled to run through May 9, and continue from June 16 to 20.
With files from CP24 and CTV Toronto’s Tamara Cherry
