News Release
SIU Concludes Investigation into Discharge of Firearm by Police Officer at Man in Brantford
Case Number: 24-OFP-012
Other News Releases Related to Case 24-OFP-012
On January 12, 2024, a Brantford Police Service officer observed a van – idling and with windows covered with cardboard – in a gas station parking lot. The officer deployed a spike belt behind the van and stopped his cruiser behind the van. Two other officers arrived in separate vehicles and surrounded the van. Moments later, the van struck all three police vehicles as it attempted to make a U-turn. One of the officers discharged his firearm several times in the direction of the 43-year-old male driver as the van continued to arc around the officers, making good its escape from the gas station. The SIU initiated an investigation. On his assessment of the evidence, SIU Director Joseph Martino determined there were no reasonable grounds to believe that an officer committed a criminal offence in connection with the incident.
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
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Kristy Denette, siu.media@ontario.ca
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES