On January 23, 2026, the Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS) arrested and charged Ms. Sudine Riley with an offence pursuant to the Trespass to Property Act in relation to an incident that occurred at the Superior Court of Justice in Oshawa.
Ms. Riley, a lawyer, has since made allegations, via news media, of misconduct related to her arrest.
DRPS takes these allegations extremely seriously and has launched an investigation, which remains ongoing.
Under Ontario’s Community Safety and Policing Act (CSPA), police services are required to notify the Law Enforcement Complaints Agency (LECA) within seven days of becoming aware of a misconduct allegation that involves a member of the public.
Chief Moreira has submitted this notification.
He has requested LECA to assume carriage of this matter.
In addition, because of information contained in the media, the DRPS notified the Special Investigations Unit (SIU).
At this time, the SIU has advised that it will not be invoking its mandate.
For both the integrity of the investigation, and to relieve any concerns, the officers involved have been reassigned to duties that do not include courthouse security.
However, they are entitled to due process during this investigation, as required by law.
DRPS remains unequivocally committed to its responsibility of providing courthouse security and will continue to work collaboratively with legal and justice partners to take any necessary action that ensures the safety, trust, and well-being of those who work in and attend the Durham Region courthouse.
As this remains an active and ongoing investigation, further updates will be provided at the appropriate time.
CLA Statement concerning allegations surrounding the events involving Sudine Riley
The Criminal Lawyers’ Association, in conjunction with the Women’s Committee and Diversity Committee of the CLA, is deeply concerned by the allegations surrounding the events involving Sudine Riley on Friday, January 23, 2026 at the Durham courthouse.
As stated in a Press Release from Ms. Riley’s counsel, dated January 26, 2026, Ms. Riley, a Black female criminal defence lawyer, was working in an interview room at the Oshawa Courthouse following a trial, when uniformed Durham Regional Police Services (DRPS) officers challenged her presence and then proceeded to slam her head on the desk, put their knees in her back, handcuff and forcibly take her to cells located in the courthouse basement. Her head scarf was ripped off, her skirt was raised, and her head was bleeding.
Since learning of these events last Friday, the CLA has been providing support to Ms. Riley, including through courthouse advocacy led by our Durham representative. The CLA is committed to ensuring that Ms. Riley receives justice and that accountability is upheld by those responsible for the safety and security of all court participants.
All lawyers must be able to work in safety and security within Ontario’s courthouses. We recognize that Black and racialized members of the bar have been disproportionately affected by these events, and we urge all stakeholders to take clear and meaningful action to protect our diverse bar and to address these deeply concerning allegations.
These concerns fall squarely within the mandate of the Women’s Committee and the Diversity Committee, which exist to protect and support women practising criminal law and racialized members of our bar, respectively.
Regrettably, having one’s presence in a courthouse questioned is an experience that is all too familiar for female and racialized lawyers, and particularly for Black members of the bar.
The allegations in this matter raise serious human rights concerns, compounded by the setting in which they occurred and the gravity of the alleged police conduct. In these circumstances, it would be inappropriate for the Durham Regional Police Service to investigate its own officers. We therefore call on the Chief of Police to appoint an independent external investigator with demonstrated expertise in human rights and anti-Black racism, pursuant to section 198(3) of the Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019, S.O. 2019.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
