The province’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) is investigating the discharge of a “less-lethal firearm” early Thursday morning July 15, 2021 in Chatham-Kent.
SIU officials have released some “preliminary information” about the case.
“At 9:11 p.m. on July 14, 2021, police responded to a 911 hang-up call on Webb Street in Chatham,” SIU officials alleged, in a media release.
“Chatham-Kent Police Service officers responded and located a 50-year-old man outside the residence. Attempts were made to negotiate with the man and, during an interaction, a Controlled Energy Weapon was deployed, followed by a less lethal round.”
SIU officials added: “Paramedics responded and determined he did not sustain serious injury. The man is in custody.”
The SIU’s mandate has been invoked under the Special Investigations Unit Act, 2019 because a firearm was discharged at a person, SIU officials say.
“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,” SIU officials added.
“SIU is asking anyone who may have information about this investigation to contact the lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529. The Unit is also asking anyone who may have any video evidence related to this incident to upload that video through the SIU website.”
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
