KIRKLAND LAKE - The use of a Taser by Kirkland Lake OPP officer during the arrest of a male on Government Road outside of Billy's Sportsbar and Grill on Government Road in Kirkland Lake is being investigated by the OPP Professional Standards Branch.
The incident, which was video taped and put on Youtube, shows two officers attempting to arrest a male, who is on the ground resisting. During the incident the two officers stand back and one yells Taser and then uses his Conducted Energy Weapon to subdue the suspect.
Sgt. Mike Johnston reported to Kirkland Lake Police Services Board that when ever an officer uses force, no matter what kind of force, a report is filled out and reviewed by his supervisor. In this case physical force and a Taser were used.
After reviewing the report and video Sgt. Johnston said Detachment Commander, Staff Sgt. Rick Witty decided to refer the incident to the OPP Professional Standards Branch and have them investigate the incident to see where it falls in terms of use of force.
The officer's report about the incident and the video have been sent to the Professional Standards Branch for investigation.
Sgt. Johnston said there is always a review when an OPP officer uses force. This includes physical force, pepper spray, a taser, or any other type of force. In these cases paper work is completed, it goes to the officer's supervisor and then is passed up the ladder to be reviewed by the OPP Training Branch and can be sent to the Professional Standards Branch.
With this incident being forwarded to the OPP Professional Standards Branch by the Detachment Commander it will be reviewed at that level and they will determined if the amount of force, in this case a Taser, was appropriate in the situation faced by the officers, or if they used excessive force.
The report by the Professional Standards Branch will determine if any further action is required and the OPP will act on the report.
Kirkland Lake Mayor Bill Enouy said they are not going to prejudge what happened and will not make prejudicial judgments. He noted that no one knows the circumstances the officers were dealing with at the time, or what happened prior to the video.
When the OPP Professional Standards Branch has completed its investigation, Enouy said, Staff Sgt. Witty will report the results back to the Police Services Board. He continued that this could be done at an open meeting or it could be done at an in camera meeting, which is closed to the public and media.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zgPZ5kBI7I
http://www.northernnews.ca/2014/02/10/k ... sing-taser