The province’s Special Investigations Unit is investigating after a Brantford Police Service (BPS) officer discharged an Anti-Riot Weapon Enfield (ARWEN) at a 39-year-old man on Tuesday, January 10, 2023.
Preliminary information suggests the following:
- In the afternoon hours of January 10, 2023, an individual contacted BPS to report that while in Gilkison Flats Park, a man had threatened to harm him.
- Officers were dispatched to the area and they located a person of interest in the area of Veterans Memorial Parkway and Gilkison Street.
- When the man refused to remove his hands from his pockets, an officer deployed his ARWEN and the man was struck. Another officer discharged his conducted energy weapon at the man.
- The man was subsequently apprehended and taken to hospital. He did not sustain any serious injury.
Three investigators and one forensic investigator have been assigned to the case.
Although the man did not sustain any serious injury, 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
