Yatim review judge steps down

The man named to head up an inquiry into police use of force policies has announced he’s stepping away from the review.

Retired Justice Dennis O’Connor says his decision is due to the fact that he is currently working for the law firm which also acts for the insurers of the Toronto Police Service in civil suits, some of which include allegations of the wrongful use of lethal force.

The probe follows not just the case of Sammy Yatim, who died last month after being shot by police on an empty streetcar, but several other fatal police shootings in recent years.

Lawyers for some victims’ families raised objections over O’Connor’s appointment and he says he doesn’t want to distract from the work of the review.