Director's Report Details

The Special Investigations Unit is a civilian law enforcement agency that investigates incidents involving an official where there has been death, serious injury, the discharge of a firearm at a person or an allegation of sexual assault. Under the Special Investigations Unit Act, 2019 (SIU Act), officials are defined as police officers, special constables of the Niagara Parks Commission and peace officers under the Legislative Assembly Act. The SIU’s jurisdiction covers more than 50 municipal, regional and provincial police services across Ontario.

Under the SIU Act, the Director of the SIU must determine based on the evidence gathered in an investigation whether there are reasonable grounds to believe that a criminal offence was committed. If such grounds exist, the Director has the authority to lay a criminal charge against the official. Alternatively, in cases where no reasonable grounds exist, the Director cannot lay charges. Where no charges are laid, a report of the investigation is prepared and released publicly, except in the case of reports dealing with allegations of sexual assault, in which case the SIU Director may consult with the affected person and exercise a discretion to not publicly release the report having regard to the affected person’s privacy interests.

Special Investigations Unit Act, 2019

Pursuant to section 34, certain information may not be included in this report. This information may include, but is not limited to, the following:

• The name of, and any information identifying, a subject official, witness official, civilian witness or affected person.
• Information that may result in the identity of a person who reported that they were sexually assaulted being revealed in connection with the sexual assault.
• Information that, in the opinion of the SIU Director, could lead to a risk of serious harm to a person.
• Information that discloses investigative techniques or procedures.
• Information, the release of which is prohibited or restricted by law.
• Information in which a person’s privacy interest in not having the information published clearly outweighs the public interest in having the information published.

Freedom of Information and Protection of Personal Privacy Act

Pursuant to section 14 (i.e., law enforcement), certain information may not be included in this report. This information may include, but is not limited to, the following:

• Confidential investigative techniques and procedures used by law enforcement agencies; and
• Information that could reasonably be expected to interfere with a law enforcement matter or an investigation undertaken with a view to a law enforcement proceeding.

Pursuant to section 21 (i.e., personal privacy), protected personal information is not included in this report. This information may include, but is not limited to, the following:

• The names of persons, including civilian witnesses, and subject and witness officials;
• Location information;
• Witness statements and evidence gathered in the course of the investigation provided to the SIU in confidence; and
• Other identifiers which are likely to reveal personal information about individuals involved in the investigation.

Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004

Pursuant to this legislation, any information related to the personal health of identifiable individuals is not included.

Other proceedings, processes, and investigations

Information may also have been excluded from this report because its release could undermine the integrity of other proceedings involving the same incident, such as criminal proceedings, coroner’s inquests, other public proceedings and/or other law enforcement investigations.

Pursuant to section 15 of the SIU Act, the SIU may investigate the conduct of officials, be they police officers, special constables of the Niagara Parks Commission or peace officers under the Legislative Assembly Act, that may have resulted in death, serious injury, sexual assault or the discharge of a firearm at a person.

A person sustains a “serious injury” for purposes of the SIU’s jurisdiction if they: sustain an injury as a result of which they are admitted to hospital; suffer a fracture to the skull, or to a limb, rib or vertebra; suffer burns to a significant proportion of their body; lose any portion of their body; or, as a result of an injury, experience a loss of vision or hearing.

In addition, a “serious injury” means any other injury sustained by a person that is likely to interfere with the person’s health or comfort and is not transient or trifling in nature.

This report relates to the SIU’s investigation into the serious injuries of a 39-year-old woman (the “Complainant”).

Notification of the SIU[1]

On October 10, 2025, at 1:23 a.m., the Peel Regional Police (PRP) contacted the SIU with the following information.

On October 9, 2025, at 7:30 p.m., PRP officers were dispatched to a weapons call at the Pizza Pizza located at 320 Main Street North, Brampton. Employees reported a female, the Complainant, threatening the employees at the restaurant with scissors. Officer discharged Conducted Energy Weapons (CEWs) striking the Complainant, who fell forward and hit her face on the ground. She was transported to William Osler Health System - Brampton Civic Hospital (BCH) and diagnosed with fractures to both orbital bones and nose.

The Team

Date and time team dispatched: 2025/10/10 at 1:42 a.m.

Date and time SIU arrived on scene: 2025/10/10 at 7:20 a.m.

Number of SIU Investigators assigned: 4

Number of SIU Forensic Investigators assigned: 1

Affected Person (aka “Complainant”)

39-year-old female; interviewed; medical records obtained and reviewed

The Complainant was interviewed on October 10, 2025.

Civilian Witnesses (CW)

CW #1 Interviewed

CW #2 Interviewed

CW #3 Interviewed

CW #4 Interviewed

The civilian witnesses were interviewed between October 10 and 16, 2025.

Subject Official (SO)

SO Interviewed; notes received and reviewed

The subject official was interviewed on October 30, 2025.

Witness Officials (WO)

WO #1 Interviewed; notes received and reviewed

WO #2 Interviewed; notes received and reviewed

The witness officials were interviewed on October 15, 2025.

The Scene

The events in question transpired inside the Pizza Pizza restaurant, Unit 2, 320 Main Street North, Brampton.

Physical Evidence

On October 10, 2025, SIU forensic services attended the scene. The location was inside Unit 2 of a commercial plaza, Beech Village Plaza, located at the southeast corner of Main Street North and Vodden Street West, Brampton. Unit 2 was at a corner of the plaza with the access door at the west side. This opened into a dining area with windows across the north and west sides. A serving counter was to the south of the entry (the right-side facing in). Unit 2 had several cameras inside. The counter area had a glass display which held prepared pizza. This was closest to the hall and had a swing door to close off access. The cash area was beside the display and to the west wall. There were numerous fine wires consistent with CEW components on the floor to the east side of the display, and around the edge behind the counter area.

There was a large commercial oven to the rear of the display. The kitchen area extended back from the counter 4.3 metres wide and 16.7 metres in length. A further storage and office area was to the west and south from the kitchen. The floor was made up of laid tiles. Powder (flour) and food debris were scattered on the floor in the kitchen preparation area. Staining was noted on the tiles to the south of the counter area, 2.32 metres east of the west wall and 3.72 metres south of the staff side of the counter. There were additional wires consistent with CEW components on the floor from the counter to the area of staining.

SIU forensic services collected CEW wire and a CEW probe from the scene. The PRP provided a bag with a pair of plastic cups taped together, which contained 15 CEW probes reportedly collected from the clothing of the Complainant.

Forensic Evidence

CEW Deployment Data – The SO

At 7:36:08.469 p.m.,[2] October 9, 2025, Cartridge 1 deployed and electricity was discharged.

At 7:36:24.827 p.m., Cartridge 6 deployed and electricity was discharged.

At 7:36:34.203 p.m., Cartridge 9 deployed and electricity was discharged.

CEW Deployment Data – WO #2

At 7:36:19.554 p.m., October 9, 2025, Cartridge 1 deployed and electricity was discharged.

At 7:36:21.437 p.m., Cartridge 4 deployed and electricity was discharged.

Video/Audio/Photographic Evidence[3]

PRP Communications Recordings

On October 9, 2025, a woman – CW #3 – called 911 to report a woman – the Complainant – throwing bottles and objects, and holding a knife, inside the Pizza Pizza restaurant located at 320 Main Street. The employees were in the back kitchen and the Complainant was in the front lobby. The Complainant was heard shouting in the background of the call.

On October 9, 2025, the dispatcher alerted police officers over the radio of a “priority one” call regarding a female with a knife at the Pizza Pizza located at 320 Main Street. The Pizza Pizza employees were in the back area and the female was in the eating area. WO #2 and the SO were noted as arriving at the scene. The Complainant had reportedly entered the kitchen area. WO #2 subsequently confirmed that the Complainant was in custody. An ambulance was requested because the Complainant had reportedly struck her face on the ground after a CEW deployment.

Video Footage – Pizza Pizza

On October 9, 2025, at 7:26:24 p.m., the Complainant stood and ran to the front counter with an object [now known to be scissors] raised over her head in her right hand. The Complainant tossed objects from the counter towards the back work area.

At 7:26:39 p.m., the Complainant stood at the counter and bent over slightly. She grabbed an object from the counter and threw it behind the counter out of camera view. The Complainant tried to pull the affixed register monitor from the counter as a man entered the left camera frame and walked to the counter with his left arm extended. The Complainant grabbed a water bottle as an employee rounded the counter. The Complainant separated an object [now known to be a pair of scissors] from the water bottle, raised the scissors over her head in her right hand, and walked along the counter out of the lower camera frame.

At 7:33:54 p.m., the Complainant walked to the front counter, climbed over it, and exited the camera frame towards the work area of the restaurant. Two employees stood in the work area and made haste, exiting the camera frame.

At 7:34:13 p.m., the Complainant ran into the camera frame with an object over her head. She threw objects she picked up in the work area. The Complainant walked towards the front counter with the scissors up over her head in her right hand.

At 7:34:23 p.m., WO #2 stood in the open doorway of the restaurant. He stepped into the restaurant. The SO followed him into the restaurant. The SO and WO #2 walked with their firearms raised at the ready towards the front counter.

At 7:34:34 p.m., the Complainant’s feet entered the camera frame behind the counter. The SO holstered his firearm, drew his CEW, and pointed it in the direction of the front counter. The Complainant entered the camera frame fully with her right arm raised over her head. The CEW targeting lights lit up on the Complainant’s jacket as she pulled her bent arms into her chest. The Complainant dropped her hands to her sides and the CEW lights appeared on her jacket. WO #2 held his firearm in his left hand and drew his CEW with his right hand. The Complainant fell forward with her hands at her sides, landing on her front.

At 7:34:58 p.m., WO #2 passed his CEW to the SO and exited the camera frame, making his way behind the front counter. The SO started to climb over the counter but retreated as WO #2 entered the camera frame to round the pizza oven where the Complainant rested. The Complainant turned to her right side. She was holding a pair of scissors in her right hand. There was a pool of blood where her face landed on the tiles. The CEW lights moved around the Complainant’s body and the floor around her. The SO climbed over the counter as WO #2 exited the camera frame. The SO exited the left camera frame.

At 7:35:05 p.m., WO #2 entered the camera frame and grabbed the Complainant by the left arm to pull her to the left onto her stomach. The SO entered the camera frame and assisted WO #2 in turning the Complainant over. The SO handcuffed the Complainant’s hands behind her back.

Body-worn Camera (BWC) Footage – The SO

On October 9, 2025, at 7:35:41 p.m., the SO exited a police vehicle in a plaza and walked towards a Pizza Pizza restaurant. He walked to the window past the entrance and a voice (WO #2) asked, “You see her?” The SO replied, “No.” The SO turned back to the entrance where WO #2 had entered the restaurant with his firearm in his right hand at the ready. WO #2 said, “Get on the ground now,” as he pointed his firearm to the register area. The Complainant walked towards the SO shouting indiscernibly. The SO lowered his firearm out of the camera view. The Complainant appeared in view with her right hand raised over her head, holding an object in her hand [now known to be a pair of scissors] while walking towards the counter. The SO said, “Get on the ground!” The Complainant said, “Fuck you!”

At 7:36:11 p.m., the SO raised his CEW with both hands into the camera frame and discharged it three times. The Complainant shouted, “Ahh!” and the SO said, “Taser, taser,” as he walked forward. Both WO #2 and the SO said, “Get on the ground now!”

At 7:36:16 p.m., the SO discharged his CEW twice, and the Complainant said, “Ahh! Why? I need a bed to sleep in tonight, like everyone else had.” WO #2 said, “Get on the ground.”

At 7:36:28 p.m., the SO discharged his CEW. Popping sounds rang out as the Complainant turned away from him. The Complainant fell forward with her hands at her sides, landing on her front with no attempt to brace herself. WO #2 said, “Hold this,” and rounded the front counter. The SO pulled back from the front counter and discharged his CEW again as the Complainant turned to her left. WO #2 entered the camera frame as he walked to the Complainant with his firearm pointed at her. WO #2 holstered his firearm as the SO climbed over the front counter and joined the officer. There was a pool of blood on the tile floor where the Complainant’s head had been. The SO grabbed the back of the Complainant’s jacket and helped WO #2 turn her over.

At 7:36:50 p.m., the SO used his left foot to kick a pair of scissors away from the area.

At 7:37:03 p.m., a boot entered the camera frame as the SO handcuffed the Complainant’s hands behind the back. The Complainant groaned and said, “Ow,” repeatedly.

At 7:37:55 p.m., the SO backed up slightly, revealing a pool of blood on the tile under the Complainant’s face. The SO spoke into his radio and said, “She struck her face on the floor.”

At 7:42:00 p.m., the Complainant said she had consumed crack cocaine ten hours ago and alcohol just before the police officers arrived.

Materials Obtained from Police Service

Upon request, the SIU obtained the following records from the PRP between October 10, 2025, and October 17, 2025:

• List of civilian witnesses
• BWC footage
• Notes - WO #2, the SO and WO #1
• Incident Details Report
• Occurrence Details
• Person Details Report
• PRP Incident Response Directive I-B-102 (F)
• CEW deployment data - the SO and WO #2
• Photographs of scissors and screwdriver
• Annual Use of Force recertification - the SO and WO #2
• Communications recordings
• Computer-assisted Dispatch Report

Materials Obtained from Other Sources

The SIU obtained the following records from the following other sources between October 10, 2025, and October 15, 2025:

• Ambulance Call Reports from Peel Emergency Medical Services
• Images from Dollarama
• The Complainant’s medical records from BCH
• Video footage - Pizza Pizza

The evidence collected by the SIU, including interviews with the Complainant, the SO and other witnesses (police and non-police), and video footage that largely captured the incident, gives rise to the following scenario.

In the evening of October 9, 2025, PRP officers were dispatched to the Pizza Pizza location at the plaza situated at 320 Main Street North, Brampton. An employee had contacted police to report a woman in the store behaving erratically and threatening staff with a knife. The SO and his partner, WO #2, were nearby and were the first officers to respond, arriving within minutes.

The woman – the Complainant – was of unsound mind. She had recently consumed crack cocaine and alcohol. She had entered the Pizza Pizza and was seated for a while before she began to behave violently towards the restaurant employees, throwing items from the counter, brandishing a pair of scissors and uttering threats. She had climbed over the counter to advance on employees, who had retreated to the back of the establishment, when she was alerted to the presence of police officers at the front.

The SO and WO #2 immediately called out to the Complainant, ordering her to the floor. The Complainant was not deterred. Rather, she advanced on the officers with the knife. The SO and WO #2 discharged their CEWs with seemingly no effect on the Complainant. The probes might not have penetrated the coat the Complainant was wearing through to the skin. The Complainant turned to walk away from the officers and was struck again by CEW discharges. On this occasion, the Complainant locked-up and fell, striking her face on the floor in the process.

The officers approached the Complainant and handcuffed her behind the back. She was transported to hospital by ambulance and diagnosed with a broken nose and maxillary sinus fracture.

Section 25(1), Criminal Code - Protection of Persons Acting Under Authority

25 (1) Every one who is required or authorized by law to do anything in the administration or enforcement of the law

(a) as a private person,

(b) as a peace officer or public officer,

(c) in aid of a peace officer or public officer, or

(d) by virtue of his office,

is, if he acts on reasonable grounds, justified in doing what he is required or authorized to do and in using as much force as is necessary for that purpose.

The Complainant was seriously injured in the course of her arrest by PRP officers on October 9, 2025. The SIU was notified of the incident and initiated an investigation, naming the SO the subject official. The investigation is now concluded. On my assessment of the evidence, there are no reasonable grounds to believe that the SO committed a criminal offence in connection with the Complainant’s arrest and injuries.

Pursuant to section 25(1) of the Criminal Code, police officers are immune from criminal liability for force used in the course of their duties provided such force was reasonably necessary in the execution of an act that they were required or authorized to do by law.

With information at their disposal that the Complainant was threatening the Pizza Pizza staff with a knife, I am satisfied that the SO and WO #2 were within their rights in moving to take her into custody.

I am also satisfied that the force used by the officers, namely, CEW discharges, constituted reasonable force in aid of the Complainant’s arrest. The Complainant was wielding a sharp object – a pair of scissors – and seemed intent on using it. A physical engagement to disarm and subdue the Complainant was prohibitive because of the potential for the scissors to inflict grievous bodily harm and even death on the officers or the Complainant. At the same time, it was imperative that the Complainant be neutralized as soon as possible given the employees at the back of the store whose safety was in jeopardy. In the circumstances, it made sense to resort to the CEW. If the weapon worked as intended, the Complainant would be quickly and momentarily incapacitated, and safely taken into custody without the infliction of serious injury.

In the result, though it is regrettable that the Complainant did suffer fractures when she fell and struck her face, there are no reasonable grounds to believe that the injuries are attributable to unlawful conduct on the part of either officer. As such, there is no basis for proceeding with criminal charges in this case. The file is closed.

Date: February 5, 2026

Electronically approved by

Joseph Martino

Director

Special Investigations Unit