KAWARTHA LAKES-The 2019 Use of Force report from the Kawartha Lakes Police Service shows the use of force is on the rise locally along with the number of incidents police were called to.
In 2019 there were 36 Use of Force Reports done by police in the Lindsay area involving a total of 45 Use of Force options. Nine involved more than one type of Use of Force. That number is up drastically from 2017 when there was only 18 Use of Force Reported and 31 in 2018. It is down from 2016 though when there was 42. 
In Ontario, all police officers are required to submit a “Use of Force Report” in any of the following circumstances:
- Anytime a member draws a handgun in the presence of the public
- Anytime a member discharges a firearm in the course of their duties
- When a weapon, other than a firearm, is used on a member of the public**
- When any force is used that results in an injury that requires medical attention
There were eight instances where a firearm was drawn or pointed at another person in 2019. In 2018 officers drew theri gun seven times.
The majority of incidents where a handgun was drawn or a firearm was pointed in 2019 involved a high-risk situation or weapons call according to Police. Police say in 2019 there were two occasions when an officer drew their firearm to effect the arrest of a person armed with a knife. There were two occasions when officers drew their firearm to arrest those operating a motor vehicle in an erratic or dangerous manner, including the arrest of a person operating a stolen vehicle. On three occassions officers drew their firearms while investigating incidents where a handgun was alleged to have been observed and on one occassions firearms were drawn while investigating an incident where a rifle was alleged to have been observed.
In six out of the seven incidents where multiple use of force options were deployed a Taser or Conducted Energy Weapon (CEW) was one of the options that was deployed. In these incidents the CEW was used in conjunction with a firearm being drawn and/or pointed at a person on three occasions. On three occasions the CEW was used in conjunction with empty hand techniques. On one occasion empty hand techniques were used in conjunction with the pointing of a firearm at a person. In six of the seven incidents these techniques were used to gain compliance with those who were aggressive with police or were armed with a knife according to the report. In two of the occurrences the non compliant people had barricaded themselves in a room. Police say in one incident the weapons were drawn but not used as a matter of officer safety when entering an area of perceived danger.
There was one incident where an aerosol weapon was drawn but not used. This occurred in one of the above listed incidents where multiple techniques were used during the arrest of a barricaded person.
Officers drew a CEW 9 times in 2019. In all of those incidents, the weapon was deployed. In all but one of the incidents the weapon was used to gain control of persons who were not compliant with police direction to effect an arrest according to police. In one incident the weapon was deployed to gain control of an animal (dog). Five deployments of the weapon saw officers using the weapon in drive stun mode. In two incidents the weapon was deployed using the firing of probes. In both of theses incidents multiple deployments were used to gain control of persons who were threatening or displaying suicidal tendencies.
Here’s what the numbers looked like last year: https://www.kawartha411.ca/2019/01/20/kawartha-lakes-police-drew-guns-7-times-in-the-last-year-and-drew-a-taser-10-times/
There were 13,843 “incidents” investigated within the Lindsay area, patrolled by the Kawartha Lakes Police Service in 2019 compared to 12,946 in 2018 and 11,515 in 2017.
Nine complaints were lodged against members of the police service last year. Seven were for neglect of duty, one for use of excessive force and one for discreditable conduct. Six complaints were screened out by the Office of the Independent Review Director (OIPRD)and no further action was taken. Two were investigated and deemed unsubstantiated and in the neglect of duty case an investigation in underway by the OPP.
