A Toronto police officer was struck by a motorcyclist in a hit-and-run incident on Monday evening.
According to authorities, the officer was conducting a traffic stop on a vehicle in the area of Dufferin Street and Eglinton Avenue West when a motorcyclist struck him and fled the scene.
The officer was taken to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and is expected to make a full recovery.
The suspect, described as a male in his 20s, was last seen heading westbound on Eglinton Avenue West. Police are currently searching for the motorcyclist and are asking anyone with information to come forward.
The incident has sparked concern among the Toronto Police Association, who are calling for stricter penalties for those who injure or kill police officers in the line of duty.
In a statement, the association’s president, Mike McCormack, said, “This is yet another example of the dangers our officers face every day while serving and protecting our communities. We need to send a strong message that assaulting or injuring a police officer will not be tolerated.”
The incident also serves as a reminder of the dangers that police officers face while on duty. In 2019, there were 1,295 reported incidents of police officers being assaulted in Toronto, according to data from the Toronto Police Service.
As the search for the suspect continues, the Toronto Police Service is urging anyone with information to contact them or Crime Stoppers anonymously. They are also reminding the public to always yield to emergency vehicles and to follow the rules of the road to ensure the safety of all individuals on the streets.
