SIU clears Barrie officer after discharge of conducted energy weapon

The Special Investigations Unit investigates a scene - file image. (CTV News Barrie)

The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) found no reasonable grounds to believe a Barrie Police officer allegedly committed a criminal offence in connection with the serious injury of a 25-year-old man.

On July 22, police were called to Maple Avenue in Barrie after a man allegedly exposed his genitals to shelter staff.

Investigators reported that the individual disobeyed police orders and was arrested for an indecent act.

After the man allegedly turned away from police, the unit confirmed that an officer discharged a conducted energy weapon (CEW) causing the man to fall to the ground.

The Monday report stated that emergency crews took the man to hospital where he was diagnosed with a fractured jaw and missing teeth.

The SIU director, Joseph Martino, says that he found the use of the CEW to be a reasonable tactic.

The agency reports that if it had worked as intended, the man would have been temporarily incapacitated, allowing for a safe arrest, without the infliction of serious injury.

“Regrettably, the use of the weapon always carries with it a risk of injury, which materialized in this case.” Stated Joseph Martino.

That risk, in Director Martino’s view, was not a prohibitive one in the circumstances of the summer incident.