News Release
No Charges Against Toronto Police Officer for Firing Non-Lethal Shotgun at Man
Case Number: 21-TFP-241
Other News Releases Related to Case 21-TFP-241
SIU Investigating after Officer Discharges Less-Lethal Shotgun at Man in Toronto
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has found no reasonable grounds to believe that a Toronto Police Service officer committed a criminal offence in connection with firing a less-lethal shotgun at a 56-year-old man last August.
On August 1, 2021, officers went to a home on Thirtieth Street after receiving a 911 call that a man was in the backyard with a saw in his hand and threatening to harm himself. Following attempts to negotiate with the man, the officer deployed her less-lethal shotgun from a distance, striking him with bean bag rounds three times. He let go of the saw and was taken into custody without further incident. The man was taken to hospital for a minor injury and received psychiatric care.
Director Martino found the use of force was reasonably necessary to resolve the situation and safely take the man into custody. The file has been closed.
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.
Kristy Denette, siu.media@ontario.ca
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES