News Release
SIU Concludes Investigation into Man Struck with Less-Lethal Firearm Round in Brantford
Case Number: 24-OFP-378
Other News Releases Related to Case 24-OFP-378
SIU Investigating After Officer Discharged Less-Lethal Firearm at Man in Brantford
The Special Investigations Unit found no reasonable grounds to believe a Brantford Police Service officer committed a criminal offence in connection with shooting an Anti-Riot Weapon Enfield (ARWEN) at a 33-year-old man. The man was not injured. On September 12, 2024, officers were called to an apartment near Salisbury Avenue and Erie Avenue in Brantford. They sought to arrest the man after they had reason to believe the man assaulted another male with a weapon.
Director Joseph Martino found the force used by the subject official to arrest the man was justified. Police attempted to negotiate the man’s surrender for about an hour before the ARWEN was used. He concluded the use of the ARWEN made sense due to the man’s growing agitation and risk he might harm himself or officers with the knife.
The man was struck with one round, he dropped the knife and was handcuffed.
Full Director’s Report (with Incident Narrative, Evidence, and Analysis & Director’s Decision):
The SIU is an independent government agency that investigates the conduct of officials (police officers as well as special constables with the Niagara Parks Commission and peace officers with the Legislative Protective Service) that may have resulted in death, serious injury, sexual assault and/or the discharge of a firearm at a person. All investigations are conducted by SIU investigators who are civilians. Under the Special Investigations Unit Act, the Director of the SIU must
- consider whether the official has committed a criminal offence in connection with the incident under investigation
- depending on the evidence, cause a criminal charge to be laid against the official where grounds exist for doing so, or close the file without any charges being laid
- publicly report the results of its investigations
Lisez ce communiqué en français.
Monica Hudon, siu.media@ontario.ca
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES