A Chatham-Kent police officer has been cleared of any wrongdoing after a September arrest left a suspect with a fractured wrist.
According to a statement from Ontario's Special Investigations Unit (SIU), the incident occurred on September 4 on Adelaide Street North in Chatham. The officer, who wasn't named, saw the suspect with a bike that was reported stolen and attempted to question him. The suspect allegedly ran away and a chase ensued.
The release said a struggle between the officer and suspect happened after an arrest was made. It added the officer was struck in the face while holding on to the suspect's arm, causing him to release the man. The officer fired a Taser at the suspect twice, failing to stop him both times.
The statement said the suspect jumped onto a fence while the officer tried to pull him down by his belt. The suspect then allegedly hit the officer in the face again while on the fence. The officer was able to pull the suspect from the fence and deploy the Taser, which again had no effect.
The suspect jumped the fence again and ran off. He was arrested a shortly after by another officer, which is when he complained of pain in his left hand. He was taken to a hospital and x-rayed where he was diagnosed with a fracture in his left hand.
The director of the SIU, Tony Loparco, determined there were no reasonable grounds to lay criminal charges as the officer "used no more force than necessary in the circumstances" and added the officer possibly used less force than could have been justified.
"On all of the evidence, I am of the opinion that the actions of the [subject officer] in attempting to apprehend the complainant fell within the range of what was reasonably necessary for the circumstances to effect his lawful detention," Loparco said.
The director added there wasn't enough evidence to prove the suspect's wrist was fractured during the arrest.