News Release
SIU Concludes Investigation into the Tasering of a Murder Suspect by Peel Regional Police
Case Number: 08-OCI-071
Other News Releases Related to Case 08-OCI-071
On April 30, 2008, at 12:35 p.m., officers responded to urgent calls about a knife attack at the Red Maple Plaza in Brampton. The first officer on the scene saw the body of one of two stabbing victims in the parking lot and confronted a man on the sidewalk holding a bloodied knife. The man ignored the officer's orders to drop the knife and, instead, moved the knife to his own neck and slashed his throat.
SIU Director, James Cornish, observed: "In order to prevent the man from causing himself further grievous bodily harm, or worse, the officer shot the man with a Taser. The man fell to the ground, dropping the knife." Mr. Cornish concluded: "The evidence, both police and civilian, satisfies me that the subject officer did not cause this man's injuries, indeed quite the contrary. The actions of the officer quite probably save this man's life."
The man was taken to hospital where he was successfully treated.
If you or someone you know has been negatively affected by an incident under SIU investigation and would like support, the Affected Persons Program is here to help. You can reach us at 1-877-641-1897. Support is free, confidential, and available 24/7, every day of the year.
The SIU is an independent government agency that investigates the conduct of officials (municipal, regional and provincial police officers, police officers with the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service, 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