Ontario’s police watchdog is investigating the use of anti-riot weapons against a man in Gananoque last week. According to the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), officers with the Gananoque Police Service were called to the area of Second Street and Victoria Avenue at around 4:30 p.m. Friday on reports of a disturbance. A man barricaded himself inside a home when police arrived, the SIU says. Ontario Provincial Police were called in to assist Gananoque police at the scene. OPP officers entered the home shortly before midnight and encountered the man, who the SIU says was “armed with edged weapons.” Two officers fired their anti-riot weapon enfields (ARWENs) at the 42-year-old man, and a police dog was released. The SIU says the man was transported to hospital for treatment. No details on his condition or the severity of his injuries were provided in a news release. Anyone who may have information about this investigation, including video or photos, is asked to contact the lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529 or online at: https://siu.on.ca/en/appeals.php The SIU is an independent government agency that investigates the conduct of police officers that may have resulted in death, serious injury, sexual assault and/or the discharge of a firearm at a person.
