SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS UNIT
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Upon receipt and review of additional forensic evidence in this case, including the results of the postmortem examination performed on a child, and reports prepared by the Centre of Forensic Sciences of analyses conducted with respect to bloodstains in the pickup truck, the trajectory of shots that struck the truck, and firearms, cartridge cases and projectiles, the SIU can today confirm that the child’s death on November 26, 2020 in Kawartha Lakes was the result of being shot by police.
We continue to offer our deepest sympathies to the family and those affected as we await the final report of the Kawartha Lakes SIU investigation. It is devastating to all #OPP members when an innocent life is lost during an incident.
— Thomas Carrique (@OPPCommissioner) February 11, 2021
On that date, the one-year-old boy died in the course of an interaction between the boy’s 33-year-old father and Ontario Provincial Police officers. The father – who was shot by police – succumbed to his injuries in hospital.
The SIU’s investigation is ongoing.
The SIU is an independent government agency that investigates the conduct of officials (police officers as well as special constables with the Niagara Parks Commission and peace officers with the Legislative Protective Service) that may have resulted in death, serious injury, sexual assault and/or the discharge of a firearm at a person. All investigations are conducted by SIU investigators who are civilians. Under the Special Investigations Unit Act, the Director of the SIU must
- consider whether the official has committed a criminal offence in connection with the incident under investigation
- depending on the evidence, cause a criminal charge to be laid against the official where grounds exist for doing so, or close the file without any charges being laid
- publicly report the results of its investigations
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The OPP Association issued the following statement following the SIU release:
We are all devastated when a child tragically dies. Our heartfelt condolences are extended to the mother and family of a one-year-old little boy who tragically died near Lindsay, Ontario on November 26, 2020.
The OPP Association respects the investigative process. We continue to support our members affected by the incident. We urge anyone from the public or our members to reach out for professional mental health supports. Contact information for both public and our members is posted below.
Mental Health resources are available for all OPP members, including direct access to our psychologists and care navigators. Contact a Care Navigator for Healthy Workplace support services, including psychological services, by calling toll-free 1-844-677-9409.
The Ontario Provincial Police Association’s (OPPA) Encompas Mental Health Wellness Program is available to eligible OPPA and Commissioned Officers’ Association members. Call 24/7: 1-866-794-9117 or visit EncompasCare.ca.
The Canadian Mental Health Association Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge offers mental health supports to residents of Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton, Peterborough and County, and Northumberland. To learn more about the programs and services they offer, visit cmhahkpr.ca or call 705-328-2704.
If you or someone you know in the City of Kawartha Lakes / Lindsay area is in crisis, call Four County Crisis at 705-745-6484 or toll-free at 1-866-995-9933.
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