Ontario's police watchdog has cleared a local OPP officer over the use of force in a White River arrest.
Special Investigations Unit Director Joseph Martino says an investigation found the use of an Anti-Riot Weapon Enfield - or ARWEN - was "reasonably necessary" in the December 10th, 2019, incident, which saw police called to a White River address following complaints from a woman that a 33-year-old man had threatened to kill her and her daughter.
While officers maintained containment around the residence, the man refused to come out until the following morning, when an "interaction ensued", resulting in the man being struck several times by rounds discharged by the weapon - he was taken to hospital and treated for a fractured right arm.
Martino says investigation found the man had used beer cases to protect against a conducted energy weapon, leading to the use of the "ARWEN", though he was seen "smashing" his arm against a door frame when trying to get back into the house before he was apprehended.
As Martino's determined there are no reasonable grounds to believe a criminal offence was committed by the officer, the SIU has closed its investigation.