The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has found no reasonable grounds to believe that a criminal offence was committed in connection with the discharge of an Anti-riot Weapon Enfield (ARWEN) at a 51-year-old man during his apprehension in January.
On January 20, 2022, officers were called to the man’s home in Bancroft as he was holding a knife and threatening to harm himself. Officers attempted to speak to the man unsuccessfully. The man lifted the knife and the officer fired his ARWEN. Another officer discharged a Conducted Energy Weapon at the man. The man was apprehended under the Mental Health Act, and taken to hospital where he was released the same day with no serious injury.
Director Martino found no reasonable grounds to believe that either subject official comported himself unlawfully in their dealings with the man, leaving no basis for proceeding with criminal charges in this case. The file has been closed.