News Release

News Release

SIU Continues Investigation into ARWEN Discharge in Guelph

Case Number: 21-OFP-116   

Other News Releases Related to Case 21-OFP-116

No Basis to Charge Guelph Police Officer After ARWEN Discharge at Man

Mississauga, ON (18 April, 2021) ---
The province’s Special Investigations Unit is continuing to investigate after a Guelph Police Service (GPS) officer discharged his Anti Riot Weapon ENfield (ARWEN) at an individual last week.

Preliminary information suggests the following:
  • At approximately 11:30 p.m. on April 8, 2021, the Guelph Police Service received a call regarding a disturbance at an apartment building on Christopher Court. It was reported that someone was trying to force open the door of a unit on the 8th floor.
  • Officers arrived and observed two males at the door of the unit, attempting to make an entry. While one of the individuals complied with officer commands, the other did not. 
  • An officer discharged his ARWEN.

No one was struck by the ARWEN projectile, and no serious injury was sustained. However, the SIU’s mandate was invoked because a police officer discharged an ARWEN, which is considered to be 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.

Two investigators and one forensic investigator have been assigned to the case. One subject official and two witness officials have been designated. 

The SIU is urging anyone who may have information about this investigation to contact the lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529. The Unit is also urging anyone who may have any video evidence related to this incident to upload that video through the SIU website.

If you or someone you know is an affected person in need of support, please call the Affected Persons Program General Referral Line at 1-877-641-1897 or click here for more information: siu.on.ca/en/apc.php

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

Lisez ce communiqué en français.