Toronto officers admit misconduct for arrest, Tasering of young Black man in case of 'mistaken identity'

Two Toronto police officers have admitted to misconduct related to their role in the arrest of a young Black university student who was stopped, Tasered and kneed in the neck in what turned out to be a case of “mistaken identity.”

Const. Seth Rietkoetter pleaded guilty Monday at a Toronto police disciplinary tribunal to using unnecessary force and making an unlawful arrest when he and two other officers arrested then-27-year-old Hasani O’Gilvie in August 2021. 

Sgt. Rachel Saliba pleaded guilty to the same charge at a separate hearing on Tuesday, while a third officer, Const. Jilliane Baquiran, was disciplined at the unit level.

The officers were looking for a suspect who was