SIU Clear Peel Police of Wrongdoing in Death of Mississauga Man

Peel police officers will not face criminal charges in connection with a recent suicide.

The acting director of the Special Investigations Unit (better known as the SIU) has decided not to lay charges against officers who responded to an incident on Oct. 27, 2015 that culminated in a 58-year-old Mississauga man’s suicide.

Last fall, police received a call about a man in a house on Glen Erin Drive who was armed with knives and had threatened two family members who had fled the home. Officers and the Tactical and Rescue Unit (TRU) responded to the call, as the incident involved weapons and a potentially barricaded person. The SIU investigation revealed that the officers planned to contain the scene and wait to arrest the man, but had to change tactics when they learned the individual was suicidal. At that point, TRU officers entered the home and located the man in the basement with a “scout recon” robot. Officers and paramedics were unsuccessful in reviving the man and he was pronounced dead 30 minutes later.

Five investigators and two forensic investigators were assigned to further explore the incident and the SIU interviewed three civilian witnesses and four witness officers. One officer agreed to be interviewed and provide a copy of his duty notes while another did not.

Acting Director Joseph Martino said, “It is apparent on this record that the police conducted themselves professionally throughout the events in question and did what they could to protect the man and his family.  The TRU team was mobilized with dispatch and at the home within minutes of the call to police.  At the scene, they proved themselves flexible – adapting their plans quickly to changing circumstances, and resourceful – skillfully deploying a robotic reconnaissance device to assist in their rescue operation.  In the final analysis, though they were unable to prevent the man from taking his life, I am satisfied that the involved officers exercised a level of care in their tactics and conduct that fell well within the limits prescribed by the criminal law.  Accordingly, this file is closed with no charges laid.”