What started as a dispute between a motorist and parking enforcement officer over a parking ticket has resulted in two police officers being charged with assault causing bodily harm.

On Thursday, the province’s Special Investigations Unit charged Constables Manpreet Kharbar and Paul Ramos with assaulting motorist Keith Ryan while in custody.

The charges relate to an April 24 altercation that began when Ryan was issued a parking ticket by enforcement officer Devon Henry in the Ossington Ave. and Queen St. W. area.

Ryan allegedly attacked Henry and police were called to the scene. The 33-year-old Toronto man was arrested and taken to 14 Division.

Ryan alleges that, as he was being led, in handcuffs, through the sally port and into the police station, he was assaulted by the parking officer and two constables. Once inside, Ryan was charged with assaulting a peace officer. After that, he alleges, the two police officers again assaulted him.

Shortly thereafter, Ryan was transported to St. Michael’s Hospital, suffering from facial fractures.

Ryan’s lawyer, Barry Fox, accused the police of “outrageous” conduct. “Police officers do not have the right, under any circumstance, to assault somebody in their custody,” he told the Star.

“There’s permanent bone damage to (Ryan’s) cheekbone and jaw and permanent scarring on his face.. . . That’s the result of being stomped on and kneed in the face.”

SIU director Ian Scott says there are reasonable grounds to believe Ryan was assaulted while in police custody by Kharbar and Ramos.

The SIU, an arm’s-length agency that investigates reports involving police where there has been death, serious injury or allegations of sexual assault, was contacted about the incident by the Toronto Police Service on April 24.

Because Henry is a civilian member of the force, he was not the focus of the SIU investigation. On April 28, Henry, an officer with nearly a decade of service, was charged with assault. His lawyer David Butt would not comment on the case.

SIU spokesperson Jasbir Brar says three investigators and one forensic identification investigator probed the circumstances of the case. Kharbar and Ramos, who each have five years of service, were the only subject officers.

Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading...

Kharbar and Ramos have been suspended with pay, but that decision will be reviewed Friday.

The two police officers will appear at Old City Hall court on Aug. 24. Henry, who is also suspended from work, will return to court Aug. 28.