News Release

SIU Concludes Investigation into ARWEN Discharge by Officer in Oakville

Case Number: 23-OFP-268   

Mississauga, ON (10 November, 2023) ---
On July 13, 2023, Halton Regional Police Service officers were dispatched to a home in Oakville after family members of a 22-year-old man called 911 reporting concern for the man’s welfare. Attempts to communicate with the man were made, and officers set up containment around the home as the man was in possession of weapons. The following morning, officers smashed a window and an officer discharged his Anti-Riot Weapon ENfield (ARWEN) at the man multiple times. The man was eventually taken into custody. On his assessment of the evidence, SIU Director Joseph Martino determined there were no reasonable grounds to believe that the officer committed a criminal offence in connection with the use of his ARWEN.
     
Full Director’s Report (with Incident Narrative, Evidence, and Analysis & Director’s Decision): https://www.siu.on.ca/en/directors_reports.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