The province’s Special Investigations Unit says there are no grounds to lay criminal charges against Peterborough County OPP officers in relation to a man’s death in January 2018.
The SIU says on Jan. 1, a 59-year-old man contacted the OPP communications centre around 3:15 p.m., stating he intended to take his own life.
“He informed the call taker that his children were estranged from him, his wife had recently left him, and he had recently been arrested for impaired driving (on Boxing Day) and as a result, had lost his employment,” stated the report issued by SIU director Tony Loparco on Wednesday.
“He informed the call taker that he had a loaded firearm with him and intended to use it to take his own life.”
Loparco says a trained negotiator spoke with the man while OPP officers were dispatched to a residence in Young’s Point, a community 25 kilometres north of Peterborough.
The investigation revealed that soon after two officers arrived and while on the phone with the negotiator, the man shot himself with a .22 calibre rifle.
Around 3:55 p.m., the OPP notified the SIU of the death of the complainant, Loparco said.
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Loparco said the SIU’s investigation discovered 11 suicide notes and instructions regarding the disposition of assets on a nearby coffee table.
The director noted the complainant “appeared agitated” by the presence of OPP on scene, however, at no time did the officers discharge a firearm or conducted energy weapon.
Loparco concluded the officers who responded had acted accordingly and were “actively seeking to assist” the man to prevent him from taking his own life. The director said he could not find any basis for the laying of criminal charges or basis for the assignment of blame in the incident.
“In all, the actions taken by the OPP were swift and appropriately responsive,” Loparco wrote. “Additionally, despite their best efforts, it was not within the power of either officer to prevent the complainant’s subsequent and tragic death.”
Where to get help
If you or someone you know is in crisis and needs help, resources are available. In case of an emergency, please call 911 for immediate help.
The Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention, Depression Hurts and Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868 all offer ways of getting help if you, or someone you know, may be suffering from mental-health issues.
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