SIU clears Huron County OPP in ARWEN deployment during Seaforth standoff

A Special Investigations Unit vehicle is seen in this file photo. (File)

The Huron County OPP have been cleared of any wrongdoing by the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) in an incident that resulted in the use of an Anti-Riot Weapon Enfield (ARWEN).

On Dec. 20, 2024, OPP were called to a Seaforth home for reports of a domestic disturbance.

According to the SIU, the man allegedly armed himself with a knife and refused to leave the home. The Tactics and Rescue Unit officers breached the door to arrest the 26-year-old under the Mental Health Act.

During the arrest, the ARWEN was deployed and fired twice, hitting the man’s upper body. The man dropped the knife and was then taken into custody. The suspect did not sustain serious injuries.

SIU Director Joseph Martino said due to the man having a knife, “a direct physical engagement was effectively off the table. Rather, it made sense to attempt to temporarily incapacitate the man from a distance with less-lethal force.”

The full report of the incident is available here.