On April 16, 2021, Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS) officers responded to a call regarding a theft that had reportedly occurred at an LCBO in Oshawa.
The responding officers located the suspects’ vehicle in a plaza parking lot. As the police officers approached the vehicle, the driver drove forward and proceeded east along a walkway. One of the officers discharged his firearm multiple times.
As a result of the SIU investigation, Cst Kevin Wintle has been charged with careless use of a firearm contrary to section 86 (1) of the Criminal Code.
Cst Wintle is required to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Oshawa on July 8, 2021.
The matter is now properly before the courts. In consideration of the fair trial interests of the accused, the SIU will make no further comment pertaining to this investigation.
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