Toronto cops face formal complaint for video cellphone threat, AIDS comment

A man who videoed Toronto police officers threatening to seize his cell phone for recording an arrest has filed a formal
complaint.

Waseem Khan says he wants the Office of the Independent Police Review Director to hold them accountable.

• Toronto police apologize for 'you're going to get AIDS' comment caught on video
• Toronto police vow to review use of force in arrest of man Tasered while restrained

Khan's video shows a man on the ground with police standing over him when an officer turns his attention to Khan.

The footage shows two officers then threatening to confiscate Khan's cellphone.

Another is heard warning him the suspect might spit in Khan's face and give him AIDS.

Toronto police have publicly apologized for the officers' behaviour on Tuesday, and for falsely saying AIDS can be spread through saliva.

Tory reacts

Mayor John Tory said that he was happy to see a swift apology come from police and said he hopes that the internal investigation is equally speedy.

"I found the comments with respect to AIDS and saliva just ignorant," the mayor said Thursday. "I think they're offensive and fortunately the police moved quickly to apologize for those and to say that action would be taken to address those comments having been made."

The mayor also reiterated his support for body-worn cameras and for those citizens who "exercise their rights" and choose to film interactions with police. Tory said he's pleased that the investigation will also look at why officers told Khan that they would seize his cellphone.

"It's part of a free society and it's part of an accountable and transparent police service," he said of the decision to record. "There will be moments of discomfort from that, but they're going to lead, overall, to much better policing and to higher confidence in the police on the part of the public."