News Release

News Release

SIU Investigating After Halton Police Officer Discharged ARWEN at Man in Burlington

Case Number: 22-OFP-108   

Other News Releases Related to Case 22-OFP-108

Use of ARWEN by Police Officer was Legally Justified; SIU Closes Burlington Investigation

Mississauga, ON (14 April, 2022) ---
The province’s Special Investigations Unit is investigating after a Halton Regional Police Service officer discharged an Anti-Riot Weapon Enfield (ARWEN) at a 30-year-old man yesterday in Burlington.

Preliminary information suggests the following:
  • On the afternoon of April 13, 2022, a woman contacted 911 requesting that police check on the well-being of her son. 
  • Officers located the man in the area of New Street and Longmoor Drive, inside a shed on the property of a residence. 
  • Officers attempted to speak with the man, but this was to no avail.
  • An interaction ensued, and one officer discharged an ARWEN at the man. The man was apprehended and taken to hospital for assessment.

One investigator and one forensic investigator have been assigned to the case. At this time, three witness officials and one subject official have been designated.

The SIU’s mandate was invoked because a police officer discharged an ARWEN, which is classified as a firearm. Under the Special Investigations Unit Act, a firearm is defined as a barreled weapon from which any shot, bullet or other projectile can be discharged and that is capable of causing serious bodily injury or death to a person.

The SIU is urging anyone who may have information about this investigation, including video or photos, to contact the lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529 or online at: https://siu.on.ca/en/appeals.php

If you or someone you know is an affected person in need of support, please call the Affected Persons Program General Referral Line at 1-877-641-1897 or click here for more information: siu.on.ca/en/apc.php

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