SIU: Officer not charged with breaking Mississauga teen’s teeth and jaw via stun gun discharge

A Peel Regional Police officer involved in the breaking of a 15-year-old’s jaw and teeth as a result of a discharged stun gun is not facing disciplinary charges.

A Special Investigations Unit (SIU) report found that there were no reasonable grounds to charge the officer who fired his conducted energy weapon (CEW) at a young male who was fleeing officers in Mississauga.

On June 13 at 4 p.m., Peel police became involved in an auto theft investigation at the intersection of Winston Churchill Boulevard and Thomas Street in the Mississauga area.

The Compliant, a 15-year-old male, had reportedly stolen his parent’s van and was operating it with two other male suspects.

Upon being halted by Peel police cruisers, the vehicle sped off to escape law enforcement.

The cruisers followed behind the van a short distance and watched as it entered a gas station — the SIU report further indicated that the vehicle nearly struck a gas pump in the process.

The three occupants (including the Compliant) exited the vehicle and began to evade police on foot.

After exiting their cruisers, officers engaged in a foot chase where — upon catching up with the Compliant — an officer discharged their CEW to stop them.

When the Compliant did not halt and continued to run after the first initial discharge, he was then hit by a second CEW probe.

The Compliant’s body then locked up and he fell to the ground, striking his face, which resulted in broken teeth and a fractured jaw.

He was then handcuffed and arrested by Peel police.

The Compliant was then taken to the nearest hospital to receive medical treatment.

Joseph Martino — the Director of the SIU — concluded his report by indicating that the arresting officer (Subject Official or SO) did not commit any wrongdoing when detaining the Compliant.

“On my assessment of the evidence, there are no reasonable grounds to believe that the SO committed a criminal offence in connection with the Complainant’s arrest and injuries,” said Martino in the SIU report.

At the time of publication, SIU officials have indicated that there is no basis for proceeding with criminal charges, resulting in the file being closed.