Lawsuit brought against the Toronto Police Service —
On October 13, 2022, Taresh Ramroop, known by his friends and family as “Bobby”, suffered a mental health crisis. He experienced psychosis, delusions and paranoia including a fear that someone would break into his apartment. The Toronto Police Services (“TPS”) were called and attended at Bobby’s apartment after he began throwing clothes and other household items out of his family’s apartment window. Bobby was not a danger to anyone; he was alone and unarmed in a bedroom. The TPS failed to follow its own policies to engage mental health supports available, and instead created, escalated and prolonged a stand-off with Bobby that lasted approximately two hours. As Bobby’s paranoia and delusions increased, he began hanging out the bedroom window of his 16th floor apartment. He eventually lost his grip and fell to his death.
Bobby’s sister, Vanessa, and mother, Debbie, have brought this lawsuit against the TPS for negligence and seeking general, aggravated, and special damages, and damages under the Family Law Act for loss of guidance, care and companionship. They are hoping through this lawsuit to not only hold the police accountable for their negligence in this case, but to also raise awareness on the inadequacy of police responding to a mental health crisis and the need to provide services that aim to reduce harm to individuals and prevent untimely deaths.
For more information on this lawsuit and the tragic story of Taresh “Bobby” Ramroop click here
