KAWARTHA LAKES-The province’s Special Investigations Unit is investigating two police-involved incidents that occurred at the demonstrations in Ottawa yesterday and is urging anyone who has information, including video, to come forward.
- At approximately 5:14 p.m. there was an interaction between a Toronto Police Service officer on a horse and a 49-year-old woman on Rideau Street and Mackenzie Avenue.
- The woman has a reported serious injury.
- At approximately 7:18 p.m. Vancouver Police Department officers discharged Anti-Riot Weapon Enfields (less-lethal firearms) at individuals in the area of Sparks Street and Bank Street.
- No injuries have been reported at this time.
- The SIU asks anyone who may have been struck by a projectile to contact the unit.
The Ottawa Police Services says no one was injured and a photo depicting the incident was “photoshopped”.
“Anyone who fell got up and walked away. We’re unaware of any injuries.” said police on Twitter.
Police also said a bicycle was thrown at the horse but when pushed on that narrative by a reporter the Chief said he wasn’t sure.
“We will have to get more specific information on that for you and I will be able to provide more in the coming days,” said Chief Bell.
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