Update – Port Hope Police Respond to SIU’s Decision
(Today’s Northumberland file photo of stolen pickup truck involved at incident at Port Hope McDonald’s)
Port Hope Police have issued a statement regarding the Special Investigation Unit’s decision.
“Based on the SIU’s preliminary inquiries, on July 30, 2023, officers went to a McDonalds drive through on Rose Glen Road after receiving information that a stolen vehicle and man wanted by police was there.
Officers aimed to arrest the 29-year-old driver by blocking him in with their vehicles and directing him to turn off the engine.
The man attempted to flee officers in the truck.
As the driver passed an officer, she took aim at the driver’s side wheel and shot her firearm.
The bullet ricocheted off the wheel and struck her in the face.
Based on video footage and utterances made by another officer in the immediate aftermath of the shooting, it established the officer fired in the direction of the wheel, not the driver.
As such, it does not appear that the matter falls within the SIU’s statutory jurisdiction.
This matter has been referred to the police service for investigation as they deem necessary.
The wellness of our officer, mentally and physically, has been our priority.
The support from all members of the Port Hope Police Service will continue.
Policing is an extremely challenging profession, and our officers are faced with split second decisions based on previous experiences as well as their training.
This incident will be reviewed in its entirety by the Port Hope Police Service.
Anyone with information on a crime are asked to contact Port Hope Police at 905-885-8123 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
Port Hope Police Chief Tim Farquharson stated to Today’s Northumberland, “At this time it will be reviewed by our service, if there is any reason to call upon an outside agency, that will be decided on at a later time.”
Breaking News – SIU Discontinues Investigation into Port Hope Officer Who Shot Gun at Stolen Truck
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love