Officers’ use of force deemed justified in Barrie custody altercation that broke man’s nose

A Barrie police officer stands beside a police cruiser in this undated file image.

The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) has found no grounds to charge Barrie police officers over a man’s broken nose sustained while in custody.

According to the SIU, the incident happened on Aug. 19 after the 25-year-old man was arrested at Georgian Mall.

“When he arrived at his cell, without warning or provocation, the man punched an officer,” explained the agency. “The officer reacted with like force when he pushed the man back and delivered a series of his own punches in rapid succession.”

The SIU noted another officer also punched the man, and a third used a conducted energy weapon, commonly known as a Taser. The agency determined the officers were justified in using force to regain control of the detainee.

“The evidence collected, including interviews and video, shows the officers were within their rights responding with sharp force to immediately subdue and re-establish custody,” the investigation noted.

Following the incident, the man was taken to hospital and diagnosed with a broken nose.

“There are no questions raised regarding the lawfulness of the arrest. The officers were entitled to exercise reasonable control and respond reasonably to the complainant’s attack,” the SIU director added.

“The law does not require officers to measure their force with precision in the heat of a physical engagement; what is required is a reasonable response,” the agency concluded.

The SIU investigation is now closed with no criminal charges laid.