News Release
Waterloo Regional Police Service Officer Faces Charges in Relation to Shooting of Man
Case Number: 18-OFI-095
Other News Releases Related to Case 18-OFI-095
SIU Called to Investigate Police-involved Shooting in Kitchener
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), Tony Loparco, has reasonable grounds to believe that a Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS) officer committed criminal offences in relation to the shooting of a 30-year-old man on March 31, 2018. Director Loparco has caused charges to be laid against the officer.
The SIU investigation found that on March 31, 2018, the Hamilton Police Service became involved in a break and enter investigation related to a property in Flamborough. A vehicle had also been stolen from the property. Upon tracking the stolen vehicle to an industrial area in Cambridge, WRPS was notified and officers were dispatched to the area. One of the officers located the man and there was an interaction. The officer discharged his firearm at the man several times. The man was struck one time and transported to hospital for treatment.
As a result of the SIU investigation, Sergeant Richard Dorling is facing the following charges under the Criminal Code:
• One count of attempt murder, contrary to s. 239;
• One count of aggravated assault, contrary to s. 268;
• One count of discharge firearm with intent, contrary to s. 244(1); and
• One count of discharge firearm-reckless endangerment, contrary to s. 244.2(1)(b).
Sgt Dorling was arrested by members of the SIU, and later released on several conditions, including that he refrain from communicating directly or indirectly with the complainant and that he abstain from possessing any firearm. He is required to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice at 85 Frederick Street in Kitchener on December 19, 2018.
The matter is now properly before the courts. In consideration of the fair trial interests of the accused, the SIU will make no further comment pertaining to this investigation.
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