OPP officer cleared after investigation into use of anti-riot weapon

The Special Investigations Unit has cleared an OPP officer of wrongdoing in the use of an anti-riot weapon earlier this year.

The investigation stemmed from an incident in Sabaskong First Nation on June 8.

Paramedics had been dispatched to a residence to treat a 22-year-old man for a hand injury.

The man threatened to retrieve a firearm and the paramedics fled the residence and called police.

Treaty Three Police Service officers and OPP members attempted to negotiate with the man for more than two hours.

The man eventually left the residence with his hands up near his head.

But after lowering his hands and failing to come down a ramp that led from the porch, an OPP officer fired his Anti-Riot Weapon Enfield (ARWEN) at the man.

The man was struck in the abdomen and the upper left arm.

He re-entered the residence before exiting again and being arrested.

The man suffered bruising to his abdomen and a wound to his left arm that was closed with staples as a result of the ARWEN projectiles.

After assessing the evidence, SIU director Joseph Martino determined there were no reasonable grounds to believe the officer committed a criminal offence in connection with the use of the ARWEN.