The family of Anthony Heffernan, the 27-year-old man fatally shot by a member of the Calgary Police Service in March 2015, says they’ll continue their pursuit of justice in order to prevent others from facing similar situations.

On Monday afternoon, members of the Heffernan gathered to hear the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team‘s (ASIRT) findings into the investigation into the actions of the Calgary Police Service member who fired six shots at Anthony in a hotel room in the Super 8 hotel in northeast Calgary.

ASIRT determined criminal charges would not be pursued as a ‘use of force’ expert determined the officer’s conduct could be justified.

“This is a very, very sad day for all Albertans and Canadians alike,” said Pat Heffernan, Anthony’s father. “We’ve had a young man murdered by the Calgary Police and it’s being swept under the rug.”

Pat Heffernan found numerous flaws in the investigation into Anthony’s death.

“They get a use of force expert who is a police officer,” questioned Pat. “We asked them ‘Why don’t you get the use of force expert from the Sammy Yatim (the teenager fatally shot by an officer on a streetcar in Toronto) case?’ but, no, they wouldn’t do that. They get the expert that is theirs from the police service.”

“That is such an injustice. There is no justice in this case.”

Irene Heffernan, Anthony’s mother, was disheartened to learn the man who killed her son would not have his day in court.

“We really actually thought that in the last 17 months that clear and just thinking would prevail but it didn’t,” said Irene.

Pat Heffernan says the lack of criminal charges against the CPS member should serve as a wake-up call for all Canadians.

“Anthony is dead and anyone else who comes in contact with police is at tremendous risk,” said Pat. ““We can’t bring Anthony back so our main focus is that changes are made so that does not happen to another poor soul and it does not happen to another family.”

“If they don’t prosecute an officer with this case, I don’t think there will ever be accountability for police officer actions,” added Grant Heffernan, Anthony’s brother.

Calgary Police Service Chief Constable Roger Chaffin says the reaction of the Heffernans is understandable.

“A family lost a son,” said Chaffin. “I completely empathize with their grief and their level of concern they have for this. We’re all parents. No one would want to lose a son to an encounter with law enforcement and we wish things could have been done better as well.”

“(I) hope that, through time, we can work through this together.”

Chaffin says he agrees with the Heffernans calls for body-worn cameras on officers and says the cameras will return in short time. The Chief of Police adds the death of Anthony has prompted a revisit a number of police practices.  

“This situation has given us a chance to review our training and tactics when dealing with those with mental health and addiction issues,” explained Chaffin. “We are working towards a significantly bolstered mental health strategy when dealing with our vulnerable population in an aim to always ensure that we are providing the best and most appropriate service given the circumstances we are faced with.”

The officer who shot Anthony Heffernan remains a member of the Calgary Police Service but in a different role.

“The member involved in this incident is assigned to administrative duties and continues to receive support me, the service and the Calgary Police Association,” said Chaffin.

An internal Calgary Police Service investigation into the events of March 16, 2015 continues.