News Release
SIU Concludes Barrie Investigation
Case Number: 07-OCI-187
Other News Releases Related to Case 07-OCI-187
On September 11, 2007, Thomas Saunders was struck by a distraction device and suffered a serious wound to his arm during a police raid at his apartment. Mr. Saunders was released from the hospital two days later. On November 13, the BPS notified the SIU that Mr. Saunders had died on November 10, 2007. Toxicology tests are pending to determine an exact cause of death. There is no evidence to suggest that Mr. Saunders' death was related to the arm injury he sustained on September 11.
The SIU investigation determined that on September 11, at approximately 1:30 a.m., 15 BPS officers executed a search warrant at 89 Toronto Street in Barrie. The officers entered the home from the rear and used distraction devices as they entered. They identified themselves as police officers and yelled, "Search warrant, get down." Once the main floor was secured, a team of officers made their way to the second floor. They knew several occupants had fled to a second floor bedroom and found the bedroom door barricaded shut. Tactical officers kicked the door down and threw a "flash bang" device into the room.
There were four people, including Mr. Saunders, inside the room. Mr. Saunders was lying on the ground when the device landed on his arm and detonated. The officers entered the room and started to provide emergency aid to Mr. Saunders. The paramedics, who were on stand-by near the scene, immediately transported him to Royal Victoria Hospital where he was treated for his arm injury.
Having reviewed the available evidence, Director Cornish said, "Distraction devices are intended to cause a physiological effect by causing a temporary involuntary shutdown of cognitive motor functions. The secondary function of the device is to cause a distraction, to allow the entry team to advance with less resistance. As seen on the evidence in this case, these devices can cause serious injury and thus must be used responsibly." The Director concluded, "There is no evidence to support a notion that these devices were deliberately used to harm anyone nor is there sufficient evidence to support the notion that the device was used in a criminally negligent fashion. The officers intended this "flash bang" device to land on the floor and go off causing no injury, just distraction. The injury in this case was the unintended result of the use of reasonable force in the execution of a search warrant."
If you or someone you know has been negatively affected by an incident under SIU investigation and would like support, the Affected Persons Program is here to help. You can reach us at 1-877-641-1897. Support is free, confidential, and available 24/7, every day of the year.
The SIU is an independent government agency that investigates the conduct of officials (municipal, regional and provincial police officers, police officers with the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service, 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